Distorting feature compensating

ABSTRACT

Certain aspects can relate to obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least a portion of at least one distorting feature. Certain aspects can relate to determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. Certain aspects can relate to computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain aspects of this disclosure can relate to, but are not limited to, distortion compensator(s), and associated mechanisms and/or techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a distorting feature as associated with (e.g., inserted within or otherwise associated with) an individual that can distort an image taken by a distortion susceptible imaging device;

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the diagram of FIG. 1 as taken through the individual;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a distortion compensator as at least partially associated with the distortion susceptible imaging device(s);

FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of the distorting feature;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment of the individual being imaged using at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s);

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the series of slices, or images, that can be captured through the individual using the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an object such as an individual being imaged by another embodiment of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s);

FIG. 8 is a diagram of another object such as an individual being imaged by another embodiment of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s);

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an embodiment of at least one distorting feature(s) that can be imaged by the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s);

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a distortion compensation technique;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the distortion compensation technique;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of another embodiment of the distorting compensator;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of another embodiment of the distorting compensator;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of one embodiment of an at least one opaque matter which may be configured as a microscopic cell, tissue, fluid, particle, bead, etc. that, by itself, can be imaged using at least one imaging modality;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a field including a number of the at least one opaque matter, as described with respect to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the embodiment of opaque matter of FIG. 15 with a number of as the at least one distorting feature(s) interspersed within the image such as to cause a distortion of the imaging of the opaque matter of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of the distortion compensator; and

FIG. 18 (including FIGS. 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, and/or 18 e) is a flow chart of an embodiment of a distortion reduction technique as can be performed by the distortion compensator of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At least certain portions of the text of this disclosure (e.g., claims and/or detailed description and/or drawings as set forth herein) can support various different claim groupings and/or various different applications. Although, for sake of convenience and understanding, the detailed description can include section headings that generally track various different concepts associated with claims or general concepts contained therein, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as set forth by each particular claim. It is to be understood that support for the various applications or portions thereof thereby can appear throughout the text and/or drawings at one or more locations, irrespective of the section headings.

1. Certain Embodiments of a Distortion Compensator

This disclosure describes a number of embodiments of, and a number of applications for, a distortion compensator 100. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can limit distortion of imaging which can be performed by, for example, a variety of embodiments of an at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may be configured, as described in this disclosure with respect to FIG. 3 as well as at other locations throughout this disclosure. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as well as certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, can utilize a variety of computer, electromagnetic, electronic, optical, acoustic, electro-mechanical, mechanical mechanisms or imaging modalities and/or other techniques, mechanisms, or imaging modalities, as described in this disclosure. Certain aspects of such imaging techniques or imaging modalities are generally understood by those skilled in the imaging device technologies. A variety of distortion compensators can thereby at least partially rely on a variety of imaging modalities or imaging device(s), such as a variety of embodiments of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 as described in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 or imaging modalities can include, but are not limited to; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) scans, X-ray imaging, X-ray backscattering imaging, Photon Emission Tomography (PET) scans, acoustic or ultrasound imaging, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans, optical imaging, infrared imaging, as well as other electromagnetic imaging, acoustic imaging, nuclear resonance imaging, and/or other combinations, modifications, and/or developments of these imagers or imaging modalities. Each of these embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s), as well as others, can suffer from various types and degrees of imaging distortion(s) at least partially resulting from imaging the at least one distorting feature 102, as described in this disclosure. Within this disclosure, different embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can limit or reduce the amount or effects of the imaging distortion considering, at least in part, on the particular techniques, peculiarities, and/or processes associated with each particular imaging modality. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can also include other imaging mechanisms and/or techniques whose images are susceptible to distortion.

A variety of embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as well as their at least partially utilized imaging modalities, are now described. It is to be understood that certain ones of the embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and/or the imaging modalities as described in this disclosure can be illustrative in nature but not limiting in scope, depending upon the particular context.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can include MRI, whose operation involves an application of electromagnetic radiation (in particular a magnetic field) to the individual. Within this disclosure, depending on context, certain embodiments of the individual can include, but are not limited to, at least one person, animal, or organism that can be imaged. Certain embodiments of the organism that can be imaged may be situated in a host animal (e.g., human) in-vivo or otherwise, or alternately may be imaged by itself or in a group. MRI is based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which in general can be considered as a spectroscopic technique such as can be utilized to obtain microscopic chemical and physical information about molecules. Certain MRI embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can typically involve generation of images in the form of one or more (typically multiple successive) planar imaging slice(s). Certain commercially available MRI embodiments of the imagers can be relatively large, expensive, and are made commercially available from such companies as GE, Toshiba, or Siemens. MRI is recognized as being able to image opaque material such as soft tissue, such as muscle, fat, cells (biological), etc. as present in humans and animals (as well as to some degree certain harder materials). Smaller embodiments of the MRIs can be provided to scan smaller regions of the individual, or other object.

Certain embodiments of the MRI imagers can generally include a static field magnet and a set of gradient magnets (not shown, but generally understood by those skilled in the art). The static field magnet can generate a magnetic field that may be sufficient to generate spin in at least some of the atoms of the individual. The gradient magnets are each respectively arranged along at least one of the three orthogonal axes (not shown one for each axis), such as when combined being able to create a multi-dimensional controllable gradient within the MRI. Such multi-dimensional gradients can be varied. In certain instances, the static field magnet can thereby be sufficient to cause spin vectors of certain atomic nuclei within the individual or other object, thereby causing the atomic nuclei to spin or precess relative to an axis parallel to the static axis as provided by the static field magnet. The relaxation of the atoms (in the object undergoing MRI such as the individual) can be used by the MRI to image, which can vary depending on the material being imaged. Ferromagnetic materials, for instance, can be imaged providing a greater spin value as compared with paramagnetic material, and in turn as compared with non-magnetic material. Relaxation times of the atomic nuclei can therefore be useful in determining signal strength from the MRI.

The gradient magnets can thereupon provide a gradient magnetic field, which is thereupon superimposed on the static magnetic field. Relatively small gradients in the magnetic field can be superimposed on the static magnetic field. Certain embodiments of the magnetic resonance signals can be superimposed from different portions of the individual, such that the magnetic resonance signals can vary in phase and/or frequency. Such aspect of the signals can be used by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 to provide the imaging information.

Of the embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and their associated imaging modalities, the MRI can involve applying a magnetic field to the individual using a first (powerful, typically superconductive) magnet 520, with the individual being scanned by an MRI scanner while in the field. As such, certain conventional MRI scanner (as generally understood in the medical imaging area and made commercially available) can include a series of field magnets generating a variable electromagnetic field. For example, a superconducting magnet can generate a typically strong, static magnetic field through the imaged field of the individual, and the magnetic field generated by the superconducting magnet can be modified using a number of field-control magnets). Larger embodiments of the MRI can be used to image a complete person or other individual (or at least a large portion thereof), while smaller embodiments of MRIs are commercially available which can be used to image a smaller portion of the individual person or animal, or also likely certain organisms or other animals. The smaller embodiments of the MRI typically have a smaller bore than the larger embodiments of the MRI, and thereby often allow for more precisely controllable imaging of the individual.

MRIs generally image along a series of substantially planar slices 108, as described in this disclosure with respect to FIG. 6. Certain embodiments of the imaging as produce by the imaging device (e.g., the slices of MRI) may become distorted when a disruptive magnetic (or certain other electromagnetic) or acoustic field, current, voltage, etc. is applied in the vicinity of the imaging region. Certain embodiments of the disruptive electromagnetic field may be provided by certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature 102. In certain instances, the substantially planar slices 108 of MRI upon becoming distorted can image along non-planar paths. If the images become distorted, the usefulness of the images, data, and/or other information obtained during the imaging such as MRI scanning can become less useful and/or reliable. While the embodiment of the MRI imaging as described with respect to FIG. 6 can be performed over a large portion of the body of certain individuals such as humans or relatively large animals, smaller imagers such as MRI can image smaller regions or portions of the body of larger animals or humans, or alternatively organisms, and typically might be smaller.

Certain embodiments of the MRI device can include a main field coil that generates a large homogeneous magnetic field B₀ directed along the principal axis of the device (denoted the z-axis). For imaging purposes, the device further comprises three gradient coils that generate magnetic fields having z-components G_(x)x, G_(y)y, and G_(z)z. In the vicinity of a distorting feature, the total magnetic field is B _(z)(x,y,z,t)=B ₀ +G _(x)(t)x+G _(y)(t)y+G _(z)(t)z+B ₁(x,y,z)  (1) where B₁ is the magnetic field of the distorting feature. For a given distorting feature, the distorting field B₁ is determined by solving the following Maxwell equations of magnetostatics: ∇·B=0, ∇×H=0  (2) Considering the boundary conditions that characterize the geometry and orientation of the distorting feature, as well as a constitutive relation B=F[H] that characterizes the material properties of the distorting feature. For example, a paramagnetic or diamagnetic material typically exhibits the constitutive relation B=μH, where μ is the magnetic permeability. Numerous methods of solving such magnetostatic boundary-value problems are known, such as described in J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, Third Edition; these methods include the relaxation or finite difference method, series expansion in orthogonal functions, and finite element analysis (FEA).

Considering the process of imaging a region in the vicinity of the distorting feature. As an illustrative example, consider an illustrative 2D Fourier transform imaging process, wherein the z-gradient coil can be used for slice selection. In the absence of the distorting feature, a π/2 RF pulse with central angular frequency ω₁ would excite the spins in a slize z=z₁≡(ω₁−ω₀)/γG_(z), where γ is the spin gyromagnetic ratio and ω₀=γB₀ is the mains field Larmor frequency. In the presence of the distorting feature, however, the actual spins that are excited are those along the surface {tilde over (z)}=z₁, where

$\begin{matrix} {{\overset{\sim}{z}\left( {x,y,z} \right)} = {z + \frac{B_{1}\left( {x,y,z} \right)}{G_{z}}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$ is the distorted z coordinate in the presence of the distorting field B₁. In the illustrative example, after the slice selection, x- and y-gradient fields are applied to accomplish the 2D Fourier transform imaging of the selected slice. The signal received at the RF coil at time t is given by s(t)=∫dxdydzρ(x,y,z)δ({tilde over (z)}−z ₁)exp[i(k _(x)(t)x+k _(y)(t)y+γB ₁(x,y,z)t)]  (4) In this equation, ρ(x,y,z) is the spin density function (which can depend on the local proton density, relaxation times T1 and T2, and RF coil sensitivity), δ({tilde over (z)}−z₁) accounts for the slice selection, and the phase gradients can be: k _(x)(t)=∫₀ ^(t) γG _(x)(t′)dt′, k _(y)(t)=∫₀ ^(t) γG _(y)(t′)dt′.  (5) Further suppose, for the illustrative example, that the y-gradient field is applied for phase encoding prior to readout, and the x-gradient field is applied during readout. Then during readout, the phase gradients can be: k _(x)(t)=γG _(x) t, k _(y)(t)=k _(y0).  (6) Introducing distorted x and y coordinates

$\begin{matrix} {{{\overset{\sim}{x}\left( {x,y,z} \right)} = {x + \frac{B_{1}\left( {x,y,z} \right)}{G_{x}}}},{\overset{\sim}{y} = y},} & (7) \end{matrix}$ equation (4) then becomes

$\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{s(t)} = {\int_{\;}^{\;}\;{{\mathbb{d}x}{\mathbb{d}y}{\mathbb{d}z}\;{\rho\left( {x,y,z} \right)}{\delta\left( {\overset{\sim}{z} - z_{1}} \right)}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{\gamma\; G_{x}t\;\overset{\sim}{x}} + {k_{y\; 0}\overset{\sim}{y}}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}}} \\ {= {\int_{\;}^{\;}\;{{\mathbb{d}\overset{\sim}{x}}{\mathbb{d}\overset{\sim}{y}}{\mathbb{d}\overset{\sim}{z}}\;{\rho\left\lbrack {{x\left( {\overset{\sim}{x},\overset{\sim}{y},\overset{\sim}{z}} \right)},{y\left( {\overset{\sim}{x},\overset{\sim}{y},\overset{\sim}{z}} \right)},{z\left( {\overset{\sim}{x},\overset{\sim}{y},\overset{\sim}{z}} \right)}} \right\rbrack} \times}}} \\ {\left\lbrack {J\left( {\overset{\sim}{x},\overset{\sim}{y},\overset{\sim}{z}} \right)} \right\rbrack^{- 1}{\delta\left( {\overset{\sim}{z} - z_{1}} \right)}{\exp\left\lbrack {{\mathbb{i}}\left( {{\gamma\; G_{x}t\;\overset{\sim}{x}} + {k_{y\; 0}\overset{\sim}{y}}} \right)} \right\rbrack}} \end{matrix} & (8) \end{matrix}$ where J is the Jacobian of the coordinate transformation in the second integral, given by

$\begin{matrix} {{J\left( {\overset{\sim}{x},\overset{\sim}{y},\overset{\sim}{z}} \right)} = {1 + {\frac{1}{G_{x}}\frac{\partial{B_{1}\left( {x,y,z} \right)}}{\partial x}} + {\frac{1}{G_{z}}\frac{\partial{B_{1}\left( {x,y,z} \right)}}{\partial z}}}} & (9) \end{matrix}$ The readout signal s(t) is therefore a 2D Fourier transform (with Fourier components (k_(x),k_(y))=(γG_(x)t,k_(y0))) of the distorted image {tilde over (ρ)}({tilde over (x)},{tilde over (y)},{tilde over (z)})=ρ(x,y,z)/J({tilde over (x)},{tilde over (y)},{tilde over (z)}).  (10)

It can be seen that there are two aspects to the distortion: the apparent position of an image voxel is shifted to distorted coordinates ({tilde over (x)},{tilde over (y)},{tilde over (z)}) according to equations (3) and (7), and the apparent intensity of the image voxel is modified according to equations (9) and (10). For a known distortion field B₁(x,y,z), e.g. as computed by a finite element analysis, both the position and intensity can be compensated. In certain instances, such compensation can be nearly exact, but in other instances various metrics such as least squared metrics can be used to limit the remaining distortion after the compensation as much as practicable.

MRI can also suffer from such distortions as when a number of magnetic fields or flux lines converge, when they are forced to bend such as when they flow around such objects as a ferromagnetic implant. Such distortions can result at least partially based on material(s), surface feature and/or shape(s) of the at least one distorting feature 102. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, as described in this disclosure, can limit and/or reduce distortion of certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 such as MRI.

Other MRIs can be utilized as certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and their associated imaging modalities (such as CAT scan, X-ray imaging, X-ray backscattering imaging, PET scan, certain other tomographical imaging, optical imaging, infrared imaging, certain other electromagnetic imaging modalities, and certain other imaging modalities) are further referenced and described in this disclosure as “particle bombardment imaging techniques”. Conventional CAT scans may be used to supplement other x-rays imaging and medical ultrasound imaging for a variety of applications including, but not limited to: cranial imaging, chest imaging, cardiac imaging, abdominal imaging.

Certain embodiments of the particle bombardment imaging technique can, depending on context, utilize particles that pass through at least an imaged portion (e.g., of the individual) to at least partially effect imaging. Certain embodiments of such particle bombardment imaging techniques may therefore involve bombarding the imaged area with particles, such as x-rays, gamma rays, photons, etc. depending upon the particular imaging modality. Certain embodiments of the imaging particles utilized in certain embodiments of the particle bombardment imaging techniques may be at least partially generated from within the individual such as a person or animal, such as with the insertion of a catheter, scope, or other mechanism. Certain types of contrast agents can be applied to certain embodiments of the particle bombardment imaging to enhance the imaging. For example certain contrast agents can be injected into the individual patient and then the patient can be imaged illustrating intravenous regions, regions of blood in tissues, etc. Certain embodiments of the imaging particles utilized in certain embodiments of the particle bombardment imaging techniques may be at lest partially applied from outside of the individual human, animal, or organism, such as by the application of x-rays or other particles through the individual patient.

FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 utilizing one embodiment of an X-ray imaging device 550. Consider, for example, the X-ray imaging device 550 imparting electromagnetic radiation 554 to an object 552 such as the individual, including at least one embodiment of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102. As the electromagnetic radiation 554 passes the individual or object 552, some of the electromagnetic radiation will be deflected and/or distorted. Such distortion could be illustrated by representative amounts of electromagnetic radiation received on a detector 560 of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, illustrated as 562 as a solid line without the effects of distortion, and at 564 (in hidden lines), only showing those portions with the effects of the distortion. As a result of the distortion to the particle bombardment imaging techniques, the image may appear “fuzzy”, or with relatively little contrast. The edges of the image will therefore lack sharpness. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator is configured to limit such fuzziness or improve clarity of imaging in certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Distortions of certain embodiments of the particle bombardment imaging technique can involve the particles being distorted as they are applied to the individual (human, animal, or organism). In certain bombardment imaging techniques, such as X-ray, the distortion can result in the distorted image being made more fuzzy, blurry, or otherwise distorted in the region of the distortion. Such distortion can typically result from an obstruction, deflection, or other irregular transmissions of the particle through certain material of the at least one distorting feature 102 being imaged. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator, that is configured to compensate for at least some of the distortions resulting at least in part from particle bombardment imaging techniques; can thereby be limiting distortion, also act to limit the fuzziness of the image, or inversely increase the sharpness of the imaging.

Certain aspects of the imaging techniques and/or distortion susceptible imaging device(s), as described in this disclosure, are intended to be illustrative in nature, but not limiting in scope. The general distortion reduction techniques, as described in this disclosure, may be applied to the embodiments of the imaging modalities as described herein (including the particle bombardment imaging techniques, the MRI techniques, as well as the ultrasound or other acoustic imaging techniques), but may also be applied to modified, developed, altered, or improved imaging modalities only as limited by the scope of the claims. Ultrasound, for example as illustrated in FIG. 8, can include an acoustic-wave source 650 that can operate by applying an acoustic wave relative to the individual (human, animal, or organism). In certain instances, the acoustic waves 651 can be at least partially absorbed by the at least one distorting feature 102 as shown by one arrow in FIG. 8, while in other embodiments the acoustic waves can be at least partially deflected as a result of the at least one distorting feature 102 as shown by another arrow in FIG. 8. Such deflection of the acoustic waves may thereby follow the general wave equations as generally understood by those skilled in wave theory. The output of the wave can be detected by an acoustic (e.g., ultrasound) detector 654. Such deflection of the acoustic wave can thereby also result in diminished imaging. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can include, but are not limited to, acoustic or other sound-wave imaging devices.

Certain aspects of the imaging techniques and/or distortion susceptible imaging device(s), as described in this disclosure, may be particularly applicable to ultrasound, such as to limit distortion. Ultrasound, for example, represents a technology that involves relatively low-tomography; and often involves imaging from only one side as described with respect to FIG. 8. As such, the presence of interfering objects can provide a variety of distortions to imaging of the at least one distorting feature(s).

Of the embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and their associated imaging modalities, acoustic imaging techniques such as, but not limited to, ultrasound can involve applying acoustic waves (i.e., typically sound waves) from an acoustic transmitter, as described with respect to FIG. 8, that can be moved, and subsequently imaged using scanners. Such imagers may at least partially take the form of but not be limited to, a sonogram or an ultra sonogram. Distortion to certain embodiments of the sonogram(s) or ultra sonogram(s) can result from ultrasound, acoustic, or other sound based wave deflection, distortion, un-uniform transmission, etc. Conventional ultrasound imagers can utilize Doppler technology such as to be able to detect or measure flows such as with blood, or other liquids, and may thereby be used in such applications as obstetric or prenatal imaging, imaging blood flows, or imaging stagnant blood pools, etc.

As such, the varied embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (whether involving the particle bombardment imaging techniques, the MRI imaging techniques, the ultrasound imaging techniques, or other modified, altered, combined, or developed imaging modality) each can involve distortions to the particular imaging modalities resulting at least in part from the at least a portion of an at least one distorting feature 102. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can thereby utilize certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 such as to limit distortion of the imaging based at least in part on the technology and/or techniques of the particular imaging modalities. The particular embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, the distortion compensator 100, and/or the imaging modalities, etc. as described in this disclosure are intended to be illustrative in nature but not limiting in scope.

A number of embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 are thereby described, and intended to be protected, as limited by the scope of at least one of the claims of this disclosure. FIG. 1, for example, illustrates certain embodiments of the at least a portion of an at least one distorting feature 102, that can be associated with an individual (human, animal, or organism) as described with respect to this disclosure. Certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature can include, but are not limited to: one or more implant(s), one or more bone(s), one or more bone fragment(s), one or more fluid(s) (e.g., blood), as well as other naturally-occurring and/or man-made objects, and/or a combination thereof. Within this disclosure, the applicable embodiments of the at least one distorting feature 102 is envisioned to be similarly broad to apply to virtually any imaging technique as applied to at least one distorting feature 102 in the individual (human, animal, or organism), unless otherwise limited either expressly in the text, or limited by some technical logical inconsistency for any particular technique or technology. At least certain portions of certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be associated with at least a portion of the body of the individual (human, animal, or organism) 103, which can upon imaging at least portions of the individual, distort the images taken by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain components of the imaging device(s) 104 is described with respect to FIG. 3.

This disclosure therefore provides a variety of embodiments of mechanisms which can determine, or “predict”, a type of distortion that certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 can produce. The distortion of certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 can be characterized according to their orientation according to at least some distortion characterizing imaging information, as described in this disclosure depending on context. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can include depending on context, but is not limited to, data, images, graphical information, textual information, or any other information that can characterize distortion produced by the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 based at least in part on the orientation of the distorting feature(s). While it may be convenient to store at least some of the distortion characterizing imaging information in a database or electronic library in a form that may allow the distortion characterizing imaging information to be recalled upon demand and/or utilized by a processor, computer, or controller (such as may be included in certain embodiments of the distortion compensating controller 97, as described with respect to FIG. 3 and elsewhere in this disclosure). During imaging or other processing, certain embodiments and/or forms of the distortion characterizing imaging information can have their distortion compensated using computational or other techniques as described in this disclosure.

One example of an at least one distorting feature(s) that can be associated with, and characterized by, at least some distortion characterizing imaging information can include a knee replacement 750. One embodiment of the knee replacement 750 is described with respect to FIG. 9, and can include but is not limited to a patellar component (not shown but associated with the remaining components in an understood manner by those skilled in the medical or surgical areas), a femoral component 754, a mobile bearing 756, and a tibial tray 758. Certain embodiments of the patellar component can be attached to a number of muscles, whose contraction by the person may act to straighten the knee. Certain embodiments of the femoral component 754 can be attached to the femur (with the portion shown in dotted lines), and can be displaced therewith. Certain embodiments of the tibial tray 758 can be attached to the tibia (with the portion shown in dotted lines), and can be displaced therewith. Certain embodiments of the mobile bearing 756 can allow for a “bearing” type motion between the femoral component 754 and the tibial tray 758. Certain embodiments of the mobile bearing 756 and the femoral component 754 can, together, provide a “floating” support for the patellar component. An assembled image of the knee replacement 750 is illustrated in FIG. 9.

The knee replacement 750 represents an example of an embodiment of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 that can be characterized according to its orientation. Consider, for example, as the knee of the individual (human or animal) flexes or contracts, the relative position of at least certain of the components, 754, 756, and/or 758 will shift and relatively displace. Such shifting and displacement can vary the distortion characterizing imaging information as taken from various angles, particularly the side. The knee replacement may be considered as an example of a relatively complex implant since it has a number of elements and a number of irregular shapes, curves, etc.

Additionally, such abnormally-shaped embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 as the knee replacement, bones, etc. will change as when being imaged from different positions or angles, such as from the front or side. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can vary depending on the angle of the observer. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can thereby be stored in a tabular manner, such that the type of distortion can be characterized for a particular one of at least one distorting feature(s) 102 according to the relative location of each distorting feature, as well as the angle at which the at least one distorting feature(s) 102 such as the knee replacement can be observed.

In certain instances where a human or animal patient is being imaged by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, the at least one distorting feature(s) can be “positioned” or “orientated” such as by positioning the body part or at least one distorting feature(s) 102 at a known angle (e.g., by bending the illustrative knee at a prescribed or measurable angle). The resulting orientation of the distorting feature(s) 102 can thereupon be input into the distortion compensator 100 (such as the electronic library or database), and the corresponding distorting characterizing imaging information can be returned, therefore allowing for such distortions to be subtracted, filtered, or filtered out using certain embodiments of time domain/frequency domain transforms such as Fourier Transforms, Fast Fourier Transforms, etc. Such filtering, filtering out, or computationally subtracting, or at least partially limiting such distortions can be characterized as certain embodiments of distortion compensation or computationally limiting of distortions.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can thereby be associated with certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of the electronic library or database can be used to generate a variety of the input compensating information, as described in this disclosure, which can limit distortion. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can thereby be configured to provide feedback using the input compensating information, such as to vary electromagnetic radiation or acoustic waves, etc. that can be applied during imaging of the at least one distorting feature(s). For example, the embodiments of the electromagnetic radiation or acoustic waves as described in this disclosure can be reshaped, modified, shielded, redirected, steered, and/or otherwise changed to reduce distortions to images of the individual (human, animal, or organism) associated with the distorting feature(s), which are being imaged at least partially by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Consider that in a number of instances, such distorting features as implants, spinal fusions, etc. may represent those areas that are particularly desirable and important to image, and yet these areas may be largely distorted during imaging by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, shown with respect to FIG. 1 and also shown in expanded view in FIG. 2, can at least partially provide a variety of imaging distortions of imaging by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 within and/or associated with the potentially distorted region 140. Such distortion of the imaging within the potentially distorted region 140 of the individual (human, animal, or organism) can be moderate or severe, such as to limit what a physician or trained person can detect as to the state or condition of the individual utilizing certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can utilize a variety of imaging and/or signal processing technology that can include, but is not limited to, computer-based, electronic, automated and/or quasi-automatically recognize the state or condition of the individual (human, animal, or organism). Such distortions can limit such recognition of the state or condition of the individual using conventional imaging techniques, and can limit the usefulness of imaging technology considerably. For example, it might be very useful to image or consider a variety of implants in their position as applied or inserted following an operation or procedure on the individual (human, animal, or organism). After an implant such as a spinal plate or pin, knee joint, bone pin, etc. has been installed in a patient (human or animal), it would therefore be useful to determine positions of certain portions of the implant or other body portion, consider interfaces between the implant and the individual (human or animal), etc. In addition, after the implant has been inserted, and perhaps after certain interval(s), it might be desirable to consider the position, wear, or other condition of the implant. Unfortunately, such important images and image information as the condition or position of the implant, wear of the implant, interfaces between the implant, bones, tissue, etc. (as well as similar information relating to other embodiments of the at least one imaging feature(s)) can often be degraded or distorted as a result of the imaging distortions of the at least one distorting feature(s) by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can limit such distortion, and thereby improve the effectiveness and utility of certain computer-based, electronic, automated and/or quasi-automatic recognition embodiments of the imaging.

Certain distortion resulting from certain distorting feature(s) can be sufficient, under certain circumstances without compensation, as to occlude or hide certain portions of the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) that is being imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Considering the operational expenses associated with certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, any increase in utility resulting at least partially from a decrease in distortion of the imaging may be highly desirable.

Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as can provide can thereby be situated within and/or associated with a region of, or associated with, the individual (human, animal, or organism) being imaged. In certain instances, the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be considered at least a portion of an area being imaged. For instance, after the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 is at least partially positioned relative to the individual (human, animal, or organism), it may be desired to image the individual including the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 to determine how well it may be secured or positioned relative to the individual. It may be desirable to view the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as at least one insert, at least one bone, at least one screw, at least one fastener, at least one connector, at least one pin, at least one fastener, at least one brace, at least one plate, and/or at least one other man-made or naturally occurring object) within and/or associated with the individual (human, animal, or organism). As described in this disclosure, certain embodiments of the distorting feature(s) may tend to distort imaging of the nearby region such as to limit such imaging capabilities by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

In addition, it may also be desirable to limit imaging of a part or segment of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 during an imaging procedure, and to image or visualize another part of the distorting feature 102. For example, consider a screw installed in a portion of the individual (human or animal), such as a patient's spine. With certain imaging techniques using certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as but not limited to: MRI, CT, SPECT, PET, X-ray, ultrasound, etc., those portions of the distorting feature 102 that within or adjacent to the bone may not image as well as those portions that are outside of the bone. In certain instances, a clinicians or operator of certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) may specify those portions of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 (as well as its orientation, position, etc.) that is associated with a bone, an insert, or other distorting feature 102. By specifying which of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that can be computationally ignored or limited since they are hidden, and will therefore not cause as much of a distortion; it can thereby be determined which parts of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be left substantially the same as imaged, as compared to which can be enhanced. Certain embodiments of the compensation method described in this patent can actively emphasize the information of greatest interest to the observer without having to worry about distorting resulting from certain distorting feature(s).

There can thereby be a variety of embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that can be imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. A list of certain ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that can cause distortions to imaging itself and/or other associated material can include, but is not limited to, at least one electronic implant or device, at least one magnetically-actuated implant or device, at least one cardiac pacemaker, at least one implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), at least one aneurysm clip, at least one neurostimulation system, at least one spinal cord stimulator, at least one internal electrode, device, and/or wire(s), at least one bone growth or bone fusion stimulator, at least one cochlear, otologic, or other ear implant, at least some insulin or an infusion pump, at least one implanted drug infusion device, any type of prosthesis (e.g., eye, penile, etc.), at least one heart valve prosthesis, at least one eyelid spring or wire, at least one artificial or prosthetic limb, at least one metallic stent, filter, or coil, at least one shunt (spinal or intraventricular), at least one vascular access port and/or catheter, at least one radiation seeds or implants, at least one Swan-Ganz or triple lumen catheter, at least one medication patch (nicotine, nitroglycerin), any metallic fragment or foreign body, at least one wire mesh implant, at least one tissue expander (e.g., breast), at least one surgical staple, clips, or metallic sutures, at least one joint replacement (hip, knee, etc.), at least one bone-joint, screw, nail, wire, plate, etc., at least one IUD or diaphragm, at least one dental or partial plates, at least one tattoo or permanent makeup, at least one body piercing jewelry, at least one hearing aid, at least one pair of eyeglasses, watches, etc., as well as naturally-occurring distorting feature 102 such as bones, bone fragments, blood (e.g., particularly the hemoglobin can result in some imaging distortion), liquids, etc. Other similar items could represent certain embodiments of the distorting feature(s). In general, to consider the distorting effects of certain embodiments of the distorting feature(s), the particular imaging modality is to be considered.

Virtually any item that may be inserted at least partially within, and/or otherwise associated with, an item which may be applied at least partially to, any item which may be positioned at least partially proximate to, or an item (e.g., naturally occurring or man-made) which may be otherwise at least partially associated with the individual 103 such as to create a distortion may be considered an embodiment of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102.

There can be a series or combination of techniques associated with the distortion compensator 100 that can involve limited distortion to imaging provided by at least one distorting feature 102. Such series or combination of processes as can be performed by the distortion compensator 100 can be conducted in series, in combination, in alternative, etc. For example, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can alter the operation of the imaging modality as applied to the at least one distorting feature 102, such as to limit distortion to the imaging. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can compensate for distortions of the imaging provided by the imaging modality following the imaging based, at least in part, on the at least one distorting feature 102 using signal processing, computer, controller, and/or other techniques. These two, and other, embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be performed in combination, in the alternative, in series, etc. For example, the imaging modality can be altered such as to reshape a magnetic field to limit distortions provided upon contact with the at least one distorting feature such as to perhaps limit relatively larger scale distortions. With such larger scale distortions removed, certain computer processing techniques can be applied to further reduce the effects of the distortions to the imaging resulting at least in part from the at least one distorting feature 102.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can thereby limit the effect of distortion to the imaging process following the imaging process. By comparison, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can alter input compensating information, which may include but is not limited to the input field, signal, gradient, shielding, forming, etc. or other characteristics that can be used by the imaging modality during imaging, such as to produce a more suitable input field, signal, gradient, shielding, forming, etc; and to thereby in effect reduce the distortion of the at least one distorting feature. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can utilize feedback or other mechanisms, such as to provide altered compensating information, and such as to decrease the distortion to the imaging resulting at least partially from the at least one distorting feature(s). As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensation can thereby also be used to determine the input compensating information such as fields, gradients, etc. that can be utilized by the particular imaging modality, which can thereby be provided to at least partially limit image effects of distortion. The particular type of input compensating information can be selected based at least in part on the type of imaging device(s) or imaging modality, as described in this disclosure. These two embodiments of the distortion compensator are described in this disclosure at several locations in the alternative, and are intended to be illustrative in nature, and not limiting in scope.

There are a number of computer-processing techniques that can be used in certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 to compensate for such distortions. Certain embodiments of the Maxwell solvers can utilize finite element analysis, or other modeling techniques. Certain embodiments of Maxwell solvers can be utilized to determine what effect the at least one distorting feature should have on the imaging. This computed value can thereupon be computationally removed from the actual imaged region to indicate what the imaged region should appear like without imaging, and thereby can be computationally subtracted out to limit the effect of distortions for such imaging modalities as MRI. By comparison, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can derive MRI-based input compensating information (based at least in part on Maxwell solvers, finite element analysis, or other such techniques) to derive what the input magnetic fields should appear like to limit effects of the distortion.

Certain embodiments of computers, controllers, processors, etc. as can in included in certain embodiments of the distortion compensation controller 97, as described in this disclosure with respect to FIG. 3 and at other locations, can be used to derive Maxwell solvers as well as perform finite element analysis. The use of Maxwell solvers and/or finite element analysis, as applied to MRI, is intended to be illustrative in nature but not limiting in scope since other field estimation programs could be utilized in combination with MRI, or such alternative field estimation programs could be applied to a variety of imaging modalities.

Certain embodiments of adaptive filtering, as well as other filtering techniques, can be used to computationally limit certain effects of distortion artifacts on the imaging process. Certain embodiments of filtering out distortion can include, but is not limited to, decreasing the effects of, amplitude of, or other similar considerations of distortion. Certain embodiments of filtering distortion, by comparison, is intended to include, but not limited to, decreasing relative strength of other signals, information, data, etc. of non-distorting aspects. Both filtering and/or filtering out can be utilized in certain embodiments of imaging and/or signal processing techniques.

Adaptive filtering can be used to limit certain effects of distortion during imaging such as by recursively filtering distortions. Certain embodiments of such adaptive imaging techniques could be applied following the imaging to compensate for the distortion, or alternatively to derive the input compensating information as a feedback mechanism. For example, if an input electromagnetic or acoustic field (e.g., input magnetic field and/or Eddy current for MRI), or other input information, can be filtered, shaped, contoured, shielded, curved, etc.; then the distortion effects in those areas of greater distortion can be limited. In certain instances, such altering, shielding, limiting, etc. the input information can be performed in the alternative to, or in combination with, the computationally compensating for the distortions as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of computers, controllers, processors, etc. as can in included in certain embodiments of the distortion compensation controller 97, as described in this disclosure with respect to FIG. 3 and at other locations, can be used to perform such signal processing as filtering, input information or field modification, computational compensation, etc.

Certain types of distortion (particularly particle bombardment type) can be at least partially limited due, at least in part, to such stochastic or deterministic techniques as generally known as the Monte-Carlo technique. The Monte-Carlo technique represents a relatively accurate method of calculating radiation levels arising from nuclear sources, for example. Monte Carlo methods make extensive use of random numbers to control the decision making when a physical event has a number of possible results. When given a comprehensive set of nuclear data and infinite computer resources the method can reproduce, in a computer model, a simulation of that problem. Monte Carlo analysis can represent a largely stochastic modeling of distortions that can be produced by certain embodiments of the distorting feature 102 without a more complex mathematical analysis. Certain embodiments of the Monte Carlo analysis could be applied following the imaging to compensate for the distortion, or alternatively to derive the input compensating information as a feedback mechanism. Certain embodiments of the deriving the input compensating information could also be automated, as to allow the distortion compensation controller to be controlled based at least in part on feedback, automated based at least in part on feedback, and or robotics to be performed at least partially based on feedback. Certain embodiments of computers, controllers, processors, etc. as can in included in certain embodiments of the distortion compensation controller 97, as described in this disclosure with respect to FIG. 3 and at other locations, therefore can be used to perform the Monte-Carlo technique, and/or other similar computer modeling techniques.

These computational embodiments of the distortion compensators are intended to be limiting in scope, and are not intended to be limiting in scope. In general, such computational embodiments of the distortion compensators can be utilized to limit distortion to the images resulting at least in part from the distorting feature, but typically cannot remove the effects in their entirety. It might be useful to utilize certain embodiments of combinations of the distortion compensator, which can thereby be used to effectively remove more of the effects of the distortion than single distortion compensators. Certain embodiments of these distortion compensating techniques can thereby be utilized in combination, in series, and/or in alternative for certain types of imaging such as to limit imaged effects of distortion.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that is illustrated as being configured, for example, as an insert, pin, screw, bone, or other man-made or naturally occurring item, etc. that can be embedded, or otherwise associated with a region to be imaged, such as a bone in the individual (human or animal). Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be positioned relative to a bone(s), bone end(s), bone fragment(s), etc. such as to secure the portion(s) of the bone(s). Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be used to maintain broken or fractured bone(s), etc. in a suitable position as to enhance or promote healing of the bones. Particularly with large bones, the dimensions of the associated healing embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be considerable. Other configurations of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as pins, screws, rods, plates, bolts, joints, and other devices as described in this disclosure whose use may result in at least some distortion of the imaging.

Certain orthopedic, dental, and other embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can result in certain distortion as a result of considerable electromagnetic field or signal modification such as may be used during imaging by a variety of embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (as described with respect to FIG. 3), such as may be limited using certain embodiments of the distortion compensator. For example, certain distortion effects of implants such as fillings can also be removed from individuals (such as humans or animals).

To improve imaging functionality, it may thereby be desirable to limit the distortion effects on imaging. One source of distortions of certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can include integrating or inserting the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 at least partially into the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism). Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can thereby distort at least a portion of the image (situated at least partially proximate to the imaging feature) being imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of the individual 103 can be, for example, a person, an animal, an organism, etc., or another type of living being in which certain ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as inserts, can be provided. The application of certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, when at least partially associated with the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism), can be at least partially implanted into the individual, at least partially positioned proximate to the individual, etc., and can thereupon result in imaging distortions to the individual (typically in areas proximate to a junction of the individual and the at least the portion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102).

Certain embodiments of the distortions to the imaging as caused at least partially as a result of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can thereby considerably reduce the quality of the image in that region and/or useful information, images, or analysis that may be obtained from the image. Certain embodiments of the distortion resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can vary for such parameters that can include, but are not limited to, dimension(s) and/or shape(s) of the distorting feature, material(s) of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 (e.g., whether at least some portion(s) of the at least one distorting feature(s) is metallic, ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, paramagnetic, etc.), relative position between the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 and the distortion compensator 100 (as described with respect to FIG. 3), etc. For ultrasound, variations in the density or porosity of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may alter the reflection of sound.

Certain positional and/or orientation information about the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be characterized as distortion characterizing imaging information, as described in this disclosure. Within this disclosure, depending on context, the distortion characterizing imaging information can include, but is not limited to, at least some characterizing information that can describe at least one electromagnetic characteristic which may be alterable based at least in part on an orientation (e.g., angular about one, two, or three axes) and/or at least one position of the at least the portion of at least one distorting feature 102 with respect to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and/or the individual 103.

Within this disclosure, “electromagnetic” can include but is not limited to, depending on context, electromagnetic, electronic, electric, magnetic, and/or other permutations of combinations of electric, electronic, and/or magnetic signals, waves, fields, transmission media, etc. Even broader terminology, as generally understood by those skilled in the electrical engineering area, are also intended to be applicable inclusively. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can be determined, for example, with respect to the individual (human, animal, or organism) and/or the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. The distortion characterizing imaging information can thereby vary depending on its position and/or orientation with respect to the individual and/or the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Certain individuals 103 (such as persons, animals, or organisms) can have such embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as implants either at least partially inserted in them, at least partially positioned proximate to them, and/or at least otherwise partially associated with them. While this disclosure describes a variety of embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as being compensated for primarily in human individuals being imaged at least partially by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104; similar techniques can be utilized to overcome distortions to other animal or organism imaging, while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Certain embodiments of such embodiments of the distorting feature(s) as implants can adversely affect imaging of the individual 103 (human or animals). Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device 104, as described in this disclosure, can thereby include at least one distortion compensator 100 which can thereby be configured to remove distortions such as image artifacts that may result from, or be associated with, a variety of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as surgical implants.

The shape and material properties of the at least the portion of at least one distorting feature 102 can be used to determine an electromagnetic field, signal, or characteristic (such as an induced magnetic field in the instance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) in the vicinity of the implant, and thereby calculate, determine, or consider how to compensate for the distortion of the electromagnetic field resulting from the at least the portion of at least one distorting feature 102.

Certain embodiments of the imaging techniques can thereby rely on such algorithms as Maxwell solvers, Monte-Carlo techniques, finite element analysis, as well as other computational techniques to determine which an effect which the at least one distorting feature is likely to have on the particular imaging. Thereupon, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can computationally subtract, filter, or otherwise reduce the effects of the distortion on imaging using such frequency domain/time domain transforms as the Fourier Transform (and inverse), the Fast Fourier Transform (and inverse), etc. In certain instances, the signal, image, data, information can be transformed into the frequency domain to perform the desired signal processing such as filtering, etc. Upon return to the time domain, certain filtered effects, distortions, artifacts, etc. can be removed or limited.

Certain imaging distortions can result at least partially from images being captured using a variety of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 depending largely upon the type of imaging technology associated with the distortion susceptible imaging device(s). A variety of image information, data, images, etc. such as can be provided using the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) can be contained in, stored in, accessed from, captured from, etc. a variety of sources including but not limited to: obtaining from an electronic library, capturing from an imager or other imaging device, recalling from memory storage device such as main memory or a flash memory device, etc.

Some description as to how distortions are introduced into distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 is now described with respect to magnetic resonant imagers (MRI), even though it is to be understood that similar concepts can be applied to a variety of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and/or associated imaging technology. MRI imaging, for example, may utilize an application of a number of magnetic fields as being applied to the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism).

Certain distortion characterizing imaging information can be associated with the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, whether man-made or naturally occurring. Within this disclosure, electromagnetic imaging characterizing information can, depending on context, relate to the distorting effect of an implant on an image of the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) associated with the implant. As such, the distorting effect of the distortion characterizing imaging information, as associated with the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, can vary depending upon the feature's configuration. For example, certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information may be expected to exhibit modified distortion effects as a result of material, changes, surface finishes, angle to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s), inclination to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s), contours, bends, edges, obscuring surface areas, necking-down portions, etc.

A considerable variety of distortions such as artifacts, etc. can be provided by imaging a variety of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, whether man-made or naturally occurring, etc. using the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s). Certain embodiments of the distortions, artifacts, etc. can vary as a function of the inclination of the implants relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Such distortion characterizing imaging information of each of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may thereby be quantified, and can be stored, maintained, recalled, etc. from the electronic library such as a digital database describing the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least on a relative positioning (including orientation) of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Within this disclosure, a variety of distortion characterizing information can be stored in and/or obtained from certain embodiments of the electronic library, as described in this disclosure. For example, the electronic library can include data, information, images, etc., likely in a tabular or database form. Certain embodiments of the electronic library can contain distortion characterizing image information whose characterizing can vary at least in part based on an orientation of the at least one distorting feature. Certain embodiments of the orientation of the at least one distorting feature can vary based at least in part on dimension(s) of the distorting feature(s), material of the distorting feature, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing image information can be used to computationally limit the distortion.

Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can thereby contain information about the electromagnetic radiation, field(s), signals, etc. that can be produced, obstructed, absorbed, harmonically generated, reflected, refracted, or otherwise affected based at least in part on the position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, which can vary depending on an orientation, position, angle, or other such aspect of the at least one distorting feature(s) 102. Once the position and/or orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be determined (such as may be stored in the electric library or other database), the expected distortion characterizing imaging information for that relative position and orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can be derived. Using at least certain embodiments or combinations of the time domain/frequency domain transform (as well as the inverse time domain/frequency domain transform) as described in this disclosure, the effect of the distortion characterizing imaging information can be computationally reduced, limited, or removed; thereupon at least partially compensating for distortion from the at least one distorting feature which may be man-made or naturally occurring.

Within this disclosure, depending on context, certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can be considered as those devices that can be used to at least partially image the individual (human, animal, or organism), such as may thereupon be used to derive images, image information, etc. FIG. 5, for example, shows certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (e.g., configured as an MRI), which can capture an image of the individual 103. FIG. 6 shows the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) of FIG. 5 in which a number of slices 108 are illustrated as extending through the individual. Certain embodiments of the slices 108 represent one example of an illustrative series of images (e.g., substantially planar) that may be captured by the MRI. While the embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) of FIG. 6 illustrates the slices 108 as being spaced at a particular distance, the spacing or distance between at least certain one(s) of successive slice(s) can be increased, decreased, rotated, angled, resized, filtered, or otherwise modified or selected as desired and/or appropriate based at least in part on the desired imaging process.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator may also allow prediction as to when certain slices could be repeatedly corrected, filtered, and/or averaged, such as may be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, or when multiple images collected at different angles, distances, etc., and at least certain portions of the distinct images could be Kalman filtered, adaptive filtered, or otherwise filtered or combined in a linear or nonlinear fashion to produce a more accurate image. As such, a variety of filtering techniques can be utilized to filter the effect of distortions and/or filter out the effect of the undesired imaging area(s) nearby distortions. Using certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, of the physician, technician, or other operator of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (MRI), can scan through the multiple slices 108 as desired to view the individual (human, animal, or organism) at the desired region and/or depth.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can utilize the distortion characterizing imaging information derived at least in part based on the instrinic properties of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, as well as the position, characteristic, and/or orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 at least partially in, on, or near the body (as described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, and/or 4) relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s). Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can thereby act to subtract/filter out the distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 from the image.

In addition, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can predict a configuration or shape of the at least the portion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 (or an item it interfaces with) after some duration. For instance, after certain degradable parts are inserted into the body, portions could be expected to physically, chemically, biologically, or otherwise degrade following a particular duration as a result of wear, material degradation, plastic deformation, impact, etc. As another example, if a screw, pin, or fastener in inserted into a bone, it might be expected under certain instances that the bone and/or the screw, pin, or fastener (and/or a connection there between) could degrade at a particular rate.

The intrinsic properties of changes to the distorting feature may also be reflected and/or predicted utilizing distortion characterizing imaging information such as may predict changes to the shape, configuration, orientation, or position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. In certain instances, such prediction may be based, for example from design blueprints or physical finite-element modeling based on typical degradation rates. In other embodiments, such predictions may be measured, for example in a dummy body or material meant to simulate the distortion-susceptible item. The intrinsic properties of an object may therefore be expected to vary over time, as absorbable components degrade.

In addition, certain movable parts, such as artificial knee joints, spinal constructs, etc. may be expected to deform, rotate, or otherwise alter orientation over time. For example, as the knee of the individual (e.g., human or animal) flexes, the artificial knee-joint (or other embodiments of the distorting feature) will similarly deform or change to mirror the motion. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information may include information as to relative angles or positions of relatively-displaceable portions of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. These changes in certain properties can be forecasted from a model of the initial configuration of the object, and a computational model of how the temporal evolution of the object alters the effects beyond that predicted or measured based on the initial configuration. Such factors as the relative angle of different portions of the distorting feature may be used to predict an overall distortion of the total distorting feature.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can thereby utilize the distortion characterizing imaging information derived at least in part based on the position and/or orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) such as to subtract/filter out the effects of distortion and/or other items (such as skin, tissue, bone, etc. of the individual 103) from the image, and thereby provide a distortion-reduced image of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as can be used to determine the position and/or orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. For instance, such images could be used to determine whether an implant is properly positioned, installed, inserted into, and/or otherwise associated with the individual 103. For example, it might be useful to determine whether such embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as bolts, pins, screws, etc. are properly seated or positioned as desired into an assembly, relative to the bone(s), with respect to other tissue or material, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can also be alter the input signals, field, etc. as utilized by the imaging device(s) to limit distortive imaging effects provided by the imaging feature. To limit the distorting effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as by filtering and/or other techniques as described in this disclosure, it would be useful to have an accurate model of the configuration of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, including an interface with bones, other distorting feature, etc.

There can be various embodiments of limiting distortion as a result of at least a portion of the distorting feature 102. With certain embodiments of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, it may be desired to image (and/or predict an amount or configuration of) a material or an area around or nearby at least a portion of the distorting feature 102 while limiting the distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. In other embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, it may be desired to image (and/or predict an amount or configuration of) an area of the at least the portion of the distorting feature 102 while limiting its distortion effects. In yet other embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, it may be desired to image (and/or predict an amount or configuration of) a junction material or junction area between at least a portion of the distorting feature and other material while limiting the distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature.

Measurement of compensation parameters on a device equipped with the hardware and software to perform the compensation, can then be associated with the patient, and the resulting compensation can thereby provide a more compact image while reducing distortion of imaging.

Certain embodiments of distortions, such as artifacts, which can thereby be caused by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as implants may be in, or operationally proximate to, the imaging field of view. An example of two considerably different embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that may be similar distortion effects on an image by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can include, but are not limited to, implants as compared with surface electrodes. Certain materials of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can produce their own characteristic static magnetic field that can perturb the relationship between position and frequency essential to accurate image reconstruction.

Certain ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may have a magnetic susceptibility, other electromagnetic susceptibility, or an acoustic susceptibility such as may significantly differ from that of tissue, and thereby distortion may result. Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as may be imaged using the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) that may operate at least partially using such an imaging process as MRI, may induce an eddy current which may be at least partially generated as a result of the incident RF magnetic field.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may thereupon affect electromagnetic radiation (such as the RF field for MRI) near the implant, which may thereby result in the distortion. The particular type of electromagnetic distortion(s), resulting from particular implants on particular imaging processes, may vary depending on various factors such as material of the particular distorting feature(s) as implants and imaging technology. As such, the particular distortion(s), the particular distorting feature(s) as implant(s) and their shapes and material, and the various imaging techniques and/or technologies as described in this disclosure are intended to be illustrative in nature but not limiting in scope.

While actual distortions of the individual (human, animal, or organism) may not be shown in the figures, their effects are generally understood. There may be a variety of imaging distortions that can result from imaging (by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104) a variety of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. Examples of such distortions, for example, are displayed at various locations across the Internet. Such distortions to the images provided by the different embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) would generally be understood by those skilled in the medical imaging technologies, as well as physicians, etc. who have to obtain useful information and/or provide a prognosis or analysis as a result of such distorted images.

There may be a variety of techniques and/or mechanisms, for each imaging technology, by which the distortion compensator 100 can limit distortion effects from certain ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of such ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be associated with the individual (human, animal, or organism) in different ways, and thereby may also be removed, limited, or subtracted in different ways. Such image processing techniques as subtractive processing and/or filter processing may be utilized, for example, to subtract and/or filter out the distortion effects either at least partially, or perhaps almost entirely in certain applications or embodiments. In certain instances, a series or combination of the distortion compensators 100 can be operated sequentially or in combination, such as to further reduce the effects of distortion.

Methods that nonlinearly optimize a given metric for performance of the compensator can also optimize the image automatically or quasi-automatically, or optimize images dynamically in response to user feedback. As such, with certain embodiments of the distortion compensator, the distortion effects can be only partially removed, which in others they can be largely and/or almost entirely removed. Upon determination of the optimal parameters for compensation for a given imaging session, these parameters can be saved and utilized at a later date as initial conditions, such as could be used to speed up the optimization of computation on images or other information having at least some effects of the at least one distorting feature partially removed.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can, for example, obtain at least one distortion characterizing imaging information that can be associated with the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 of the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism). Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be situated at least partially internally to the individual 103, at least partially external to the individual, and/or otherwise proximate the individual 103. Certain embodiments of the imaging (such as can be performed at least partially using the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104) can relate to imaging at least a portion of the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) integrating the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 at a relative imaging position.

While the above embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 104 as artificial joints, implants, bone portions or segments, etc. has utilized certain embodiments of the distorting compensator 100; it is to be understood that certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) can also be applied to such microscopic items as cells, blood cells, stem cells, magnetic beads, etc., or to sets of such cells, which appear as a continuous mass, either solid or fluid. Certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 104 that are included as blood cells (which often include hemoglobin) can be distorted when imaged as a result of the hemoglobin (a ferromagnetic component) which can result in distortions to various types of imaging (e.g., MRI) of blood. Certain types of blood cells can be characterized according to their general dimension(s), orientation profile (length divided by width), components thereof such as could be determined by spectrometers, etc. In addition, ferromagnetic bead labeled cells could also be characterized according to the concentration of beads contained in the cells.

FIG. 14, for example, illustrates one embodiment of an at least one opaque matter 706 such as a microscopic cell, fluid such as blood, cancer, or stem cell (which will appear stylized in this application for purpose of illustration), bone fragment, fluid, etc. which may be imaged by itself

Certain embodiments of the at least the at least one distorting feature(s) may well be smaller than typical implants, bones, or other matter as described above. When the microscopic embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) is imaged such as by using magnification techniques, it can cause distortion off the image. Regularly-appearing embodiments of the distorting figure of FIG. 14, such as cells, etc. may be characterized by their shape (general length, width, angular position, imaging characteristic(s), etc. Such imaging characteristics can also vary depending upon their orientation (similar to an implant). As such, certain characteristic features for imaging can be stored in a database, data store, or electronic library, similar to as referenced as 776 and described with respect to FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of one embodiment of imaging-opaque matter 706, such as microscopic cells, fatty material, pieces of bone, liquid, fluid, etc. which do not cause particular distortions during the imaging process for at least one imaging modality. The imaging-opaque material may have relatively good contrast during imaging, and may, for example, provide a variety of useful imaging information. Certain embodiments of the imaging opaque matter. As such, a particular cell or other matter may be classified as an at least one distorting feature(s) for one imaging modality such as MRI, while it may be classified as an embodiment of the imaging-opaque matter 706 for another imaging modality such as CT scan.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the embodiment of imaging-opaque material 706 of FIG. 15 with at least one distorting features(s) interspersed therewithin the image. As such, in certain instances, the imaging quality of the imaging-opaque material can be considerably reduced, such as to result in a distortion of an image of the imaging-opaque material. One example of such a microscopic version of the at least one distorting features(s) could include blood cells that are ferromagnetic since they include hemoglobin. When such blood cells are imaged using MRI, they can considerably distort the background of the image. Other types of matter such as, cells, matter, fluid, liquid, etc can act as distorting features for other imaging modalities, such as would be understood by those skilled in the imaging and/or medical arts.

Certain embodiments of imaging imaging-opaque matter 706 with a variety of potential interspersed at least one distorting feature(s) 104 may be applied to medical, clinical, or other imaging areas.

Furthermore, intravenously introduced iron oxide particles are commonly used as a contrast agent to enhance the visibility of blood itself, sometimes at the expense of distorting the appearance of tissue adjacent to elaborate vascular beds, due to the large local permeability. Such characterizing information could be included in a memory or electronic library, such as may utilize certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 which may utilize databases, etc. as described in this disclosure. Other memory devices may be utilized as certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 to thereby limit distortion to imaging such as may be caused by a variety of the distortion compensator. With certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, the state or health of surrounding tissues, cells, matter, etc. that are in proximity to the at least one distorting feature(s) 104 could be considered by perhaps limiting the amount of distortion provided by certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s).

Certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 104 such as certain cells (e.g., blood cells, etc.) can appear transparent due to distortion resulting from excessive distortion-causing agents situated therein, as described with respect to FIG. 16. For example, excessive hemoglobin can be included in certain blood cells. When such blood cells are situated in close proximity to certain other cells (e.g., stem cells), such other cells appear translucent, similar to as if they were dead (some times even if they are still living). The deliberate labeling of exogenous cells before they are transplanted into the body, with MRI-detectable compounds such as iron oxide particles, can enable the cells (either visualized individually, or in clusters, or dispersed in a fluid such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid) to be visualized, at the expense of visualizing neighboring regions of interest. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be configured to limit distortions to imaging of minute organisms, or small portions of other individuals, by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

A variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97, as described with respect to FIG. 3, can be configured to include an electronic library, database, etc. such as to contain information which can model distortions based at least in part on the at least one distorting feature, as well as its orientation, position, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can thereby allow for updating of electronic libraries and models, as well as optimization of the electronic libraries and models through the accumulation of population data on the at least one distorting feature(s) such as implants, bones, blood cells, cells, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can allow updating of data over time due to patient change, finer discrimination of distorting features to allow parts to be emphasized/de-emphasized dynamically.

Certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature, such as blood cells, other cells, etc., can be configured to utilize one or more contrast agents or dyes, such as may be applied to specific areas so cells, tissue, organs, blood vessels, etc. can be made more visible. Certain embodiments of contrast agents can include a ferromagnetic component such as hemoglobin, and as such can make the at least one distorting feature more likely to distort such distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 as MRIs. The cell can thereupon degrade certain types of contrast agents and/or the material contained therein such that the level of the distortion being provided by the distorting feature will likely reduce as the individual, such as a cell, digests or breaks down the contrast agent. As another example, iron oxide nanoparticles are often infused into the bloodstream to enable the cardiovascular system to be visualized in sharper relief via MRI, e.g., for seeing highly-vascularized tumors; after a period of hours to days, the particles are taken up by the spleen or liver, and subsequently degraded. The distorting effect of blood would decrease over time, whereas the distorting effect of spleen or liver iron oxide may actually briefly increase, before ultimately also decreasing. As such, after several days, the amount of distortion that certain embodiments of individuals being exposed to certain distortion-producing contrast agents may decrease.

Certain embodiments of the “microscopic” features may distort on a cell-by-cell basis, as described within this disclosure. Additionally, certain microscopic features may also distort as ensembles. For example, an ensemble or a clump of iron oxide-labeled cells could distort the appearance of a whole volume of brain tissue nearby. Alternately, a blood vessel that contains high levels of iron oxide contrast agent (such as which may be added to enhance the imaging of blood vessels), could distort the appearance of a tumor, other tissue, other cells, or other matter particularly which may be highly vascularized. Such ensemble distortions may considerably reduce the relevant short-term case than the effects of single cells in isolation, the case where the distorting feature is an ensemble of cells or particles dispersed throughout a material, a group of cells, some fatty material, solid or fluid, or a conglomeration or combination of the above that may distorts the appearance of an ensemble of cells or solids or fluids nearby, that do not contain the same level of the particle as the part containing the particles.

As such, certain uses of the term “organism” in this disclosure can, depending on context, be used as including some cells, tissue, opaque material, fatty material, etc. may cause distortion to images when the organism is being imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 alone or with a few cells. Such imaging of a relatively few number of cells may be the case in clinical cellular research, etc. Alternately certain uses of the term “organism”, as described in this disclosure, may be applied to the situation when the organism is being imaged with an aggregation or ensemble of other cells, tissue, material, fatty material, etc. Such may be the case when the organism, or alternately the human or animal including the animal is being imaged in vivo, etc., or even as a portion of an aggregate material outside of the person or animal is being imaged. Certain embodiments of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as certain MRIs, are capable of imaging enlargement or microscopy such as in certain instances to allow imaging down to a number of the cellular or microscopic levels.

Certain embodiments of the imaging, such as can be performed by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, can computationally compensate for at least some of the distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. Such compensation can be based, at least partially, upon considering the distortion characterizing imaging information considering, at least in part, on the relative imaging position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 relative to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can image the entire individual 103 (human, animal, or organism), a large portion of the individual, or only a small segment of the individual based, at least partially, of the dimension, field of view, and/or configuration of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s). A variety of embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 and/or their respective imaging technologies may have the distorting effects as provided by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 reduced or otherwise diminished, such as may include, but are not limited to: MRI, CAT scans, PET scans, ultrasound, other electromagnetic imaging techniques, or other acoustic imaging techniques, etc. Within this disclosure, a number of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 are described as having the distorting effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 reduced or limited. It is to be understood that other embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as only limited by the claimed scope of the present disclosure, are intended to be protected as having the distorting effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 reduced or limited.

Certain embodiments of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as MRI scanners, may be configured as full-body scanners (or at least be able to image a considerable portion of the body), while others can be applied to only a portion of the individual 103 such as the head, a hand, a surface of the individual, blood flow, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can image blood flows or pools, for example, since blood contains hemoglobin, and therefore iron which is a ferromagnetic material, blood flow and pools can be imaged using MRI, and its derivatives. The selection of the embodiment of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) to use can include such factors as imaging quality, location of injury or illness, region to be detected, purpose of imaging, expense of imaging, potential danger of damage to the individual being imaged, etc.

With certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (e.g., MRI-based), the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) can image a number of slices through the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism), each slice 108 desirably imaging, capturing, and/or obtaining an imaged plane such as may extend through the individual. For example, certain MRI-based embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can be configured to image, capture, or obtain a series of slices 108 through the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) as described with respect to FIG. 6. Such captured, imaged, or stored data relating to such image information as taken through the slices can thereupon be analyzed, processed, and/or displayed by a number of embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 with the effects of the distortions limited or largely removed.

To provide quality or useful results, each image slice 108, as produced by the MRI embodiment of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, should be very nearly planar. As such, each slice may be considered as a substantially planar view as taken through the individual 103 as illustrated with respect to FIG. 6. Often, successive and other slices 108 as imaged by MRI-based embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may each be substantially parallel to each other, and may therefore provide useful imaging information by noting differences from one slice to another slice. Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can have the effect of distorting at least one applied electromagnetic radiation (e.g., the applied magnetic-field for MRI) as utilized by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 from its desired substantially planar state into an altered (e.g., non-planar) configuration. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can thereby limit the distortive effects from the non-planar slices. This can result in the mapping of MRI information from multiple points in space, onto the same point, or onto points that are not in the same plane, but nevertheless in a predictable geometry.

Certain results of such distortions of the images (i.e., the likely distorted region 140) as imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may occlude the region of the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) adjacent to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, as described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9, as well as other places through the disclosure. For example, for an MRI of an individual having an implant such as a respective spinal fusion of FIGS. 1 and 2, a knee replacement of FIG. 8, etc., the MRI images captured at relatively remote locations from the respective spinal region or knee may be useful, but the images at the respective imaged spinal region or knee may be occluded by distortions, artifacts, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 such as MRIs may be generally understood to be particularly suited to detect soft tissue, such as skin, the brain, organs, blood, etc.

Consider that, for example, when imaging the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) in a region adjacent an implant such as a bone replacement using certain conventional imaging techniques, the images and/or other information derived there from which may be adjacent the bone replacement may likely form the likely distorted region 140. The distorted region 140 may, for example, exhibit poor (e.g., distorted) image quality as a result of the active electromagnetic radiation as provided by the imaging technology. In certain instances, for example, the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may distort the electromagnetic radiation associated with the MRI imaging (e.g., resulting in changes in at least one spin(s) of the atoms, changes in the path of the eddy currents, etc.) as a result of the imaging.

There may be a variety of techniques and/or devices by which certain distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can limit the effect of the distortion. Such distortion may result, e.g., from deflection and/or distortion of such electromagnetic radiation as magnetic fields, eddy currents, etc., in the instance of MRI during the imaging, as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can thereby computationally (or mathematically) “subtract out” or otherwise limit the effect of the distortion either following the imaging. Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can modify the flow, direction, etc. of the applied electromagnetic radiation.

There may thereby be a variety of electromagnetic technologies associated with the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 that can provide the image(s), which can include, but are not limited to, MRI, CAT scan, PEC scan, ultrasound, other electromagnetic radiation imaging technique, other particle bombardment imaging technique, and/or an acoustic imaging technique, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be associated with other distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. Certain embodiments of the PET scans are commercially available, and generally understood by those skilled in the art, such as described in The Biomedical Engineering Handbook, Second Edition, Volume 1, 2000, CRC Press/IEEE Press, pp. 67-1 to 67-17 (incorporated herein by reference). Imaging using the PET scan, for example, can begin with an injection of a metabolically active tracer into the individual (human, animal, or organism). The tracer includes a biologically active molecule that carries with it a positron-emitting isotope (e.g., ¹¹C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵O, and/or ¹⁸F). The tracer, after being absorbed into portions of the body for which the biologically molecule may have an affinity for particular cells (such as certain cancer cells, for example). The cells can thereupon decay radioactively.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be associated with other distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as ultrasound. Certain embodiments of an ultrasound transducer, (which are technically understood and commercially available, for example), can produce acoustic waves by converting magnetic, thermal, and/or electrical energy into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy at least partially associated with the acoustic waves can thereupon be transferred through the individual (human, animal, or organism). Certain conventional embodiments of ultrasound can at least partially utilize the piezoelectric effect at least partially as an ultrasound signal, such that a piezoelectric transducer can convert an oscillating electric signal into an acoustic wave as the ultrasound signal, and vice versa. In certain instances, the ultrasound signal can thereupon be applied to the individual for imaging purposes, for example. An array of the piezoelectric transducer arrays can thereupon be utilized to image the individual based, at least in part, on mechanical energy obtained from the received ultrasound signal.

Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information, as could be obtained by the distortion compensator 100, could thereby provide some indication of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that can act to distort the image captured of the region. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be configured to obtain the distortion characterizing imaging information pertaining to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 which may be obtained from a variety of sources as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can be obtained, for example, as images that can be obtained, such as being recorded, retrieved, captured, and/or otherwise obtained.

Within this disclosure, the application of the distortion compensator to various embodiments of imagers is described. Certain embodiments of the source(s) of the image(s) may be obtained from one or more of a library containing pre-determined distortion characterizing image information relating to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, in vivo, prior to inserting the implant in the body, etc. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can pertain to, but may not be limited to, acoustic, imaged, visible, or other information relating at least in part to electromagnetic radiation or acoustic radiation that can be absorbed, reflected, refracted, transmitted, deflected, or otherwise affected by certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. Certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can pertain to an interaction between the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) and the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, which can be at least partially integrated into and/or associated with (relative to/into) the individual.

Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, particularly those whose distortion susceptibilities can include a ferromagnetic or, to a lesser degree, a paramagnetic material, or may otherwise image distortion susceptible material, may distort the image(s) to a degree, such as to make the region of slices 108 corresponding to the image distorted from the desired substantially planar configuration. The dimension, configuration mixture of materials, and/or other such factors of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can also have effect(s) on the distortion at least partially on the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. Certain embodiments of the at least partially man-made or naturally-occurring embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be either customized or non-customized prior to insertion or installation relative to the individual (human, animal, or organism).

Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can thereby be naturally occurring. For example, bones, etc. can act as the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 since they may have a distorting affect such as to degrade image quality immediately adjacent the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 considering the particular imaging modality being used. For example, if MRI is being utilized as the imaging modality, then undesired distortion of the magnetic field can result in an undesired distortion. By comparison, if ultrasound or another acoustic-based imaging is the particular imaging modality being utilized, then undesired distortion of the acoustic signals might result in an undesired distortion. For other imaging modalities, the distortion of the respective electromagnetic or acoustic energy, waves, field, signal, etc. can provide the undesired distortion. The distorting effect of certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be at least partially man-made, while in other embodiments it may be at least partially naturally-occurring. Both naturally occurring and man-made embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be compensated for once the distortion is characterized using techniques as described in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the man-made distorting feature such as an implant can, for example, be configured to be suited for use by one or more individuals 103 such as persons or animals, and can have at least one similar configuration(s), dimension(s), material(s), and/or electromagnetic characteristics. Certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as may be hinged, rotatable, deformable, or otherwise relatively displaceable can alter their characteristics when the relative position of the different portions are deflected or otherwise altered. Such movable or distortable embodiments of the at least one distorting feature 102 should be considered based on their particular instantaneous condition, state, relative position, etc. Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can, for example, be formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material, a paramagnetic material, or another material which may have an influence on the distortion. Customized examples of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may be an implant for a knee or bone replacement, or a screw, pin, and/or plate that can be surgically, scopically (e.g., with an endoscope, tracheal-scope, or other suitable scope, etc.), or otherwise inserted and/or applied to the individual 103. Certain embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 that are customized may have their electromagnetic distorting characteristics and/or features that can be digitally maintained and/or accessed from a library (e.g., database), or other memory, data, and/or image storage, generation, or retrieval mechanism, for example.

Non-customized embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 may include, but are not limited to, those features that may be added to or altered within the individual 103 (human, animal, or organism) such as during a surgery, scopic, research, and/or other treatment. The electromagnetic feature of certain non-customized embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 can be analyzed prior to, during, or after insertion into the individual 103, and as such information can be obtained after the distorting feature has been inserted into the individual (e.g., inter-vivos). Such data, acquired from multiple individuals (human, animal, or organism), can be used to iteratively alter the model of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 and improve the prediction of and compensation for the effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 on the individuals.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can include a preliminary scanning of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as to detect a linear and/or a regularly repeating aspect of a portion of the individual (human, animal, or organism), in an effort to determine where certain man-made or naturally occurring embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 are positioned. With certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, the scanning can be performed with modialities different from the one being used to image the patient. As an example if one is getting an MRI, the patient can have a supplemental X-ray to determine the general position and orientation of the implant. One could thus combine modalities one for anatomic information the other for implant position. It is unlikely that naturally-occurring embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 would provide the same linearity as linear man-made features. Consider that linear characteristics are relatively uncommon in nature (e.g., most naturally-occurring features such as organs, bone segments, etc. typically have some curvature, and are not precisely repeatable). Similarly, it is unlikely that naturally occurring embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature could provide the same regular-repeatability as man-made embodiments of the distorting feature. As such, linearity and/or degree of repeatability may be used to identify or determine position, angle, shape, size and/or other characteristics of ones of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as pin(s), screw(s), implant(s), pacemaker(s), and/or other such man-made or naturally-occurring feature may be positioned or situated. Certain types of detectors should be used for such location of linearity and/or repeatability that can detect such man-made embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, regardless of the material (e.g., whether ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, etc.). As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can, utilizing a variety of the techniques as described in this disclosure, compensate for such “interfering” electromagnetic radiation that can be reflected, projected, transmitted, and/or otherwise provided by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 (which may be regularly repeating or linear).

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can utilize such frequency domain/time domain transform algorithms and/or inverse transform algorithms as fast Fourier transform (FFT)/Inverse FFT, Fourier Transform/Inverse Fourier Transform, etc. The application and usage of frequency domain/time domain transform algorithms and/or inverse transform algorithms are generally understood, and will not be further described in this disclosure.

There may be a variety of techniques that may be utilized by one or more of the embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 to computationally compensate at least some distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be configured to computationally compensate by filtering, signal masking, signal processing, signal regeneration, and/or otherwise removal or limiting of at least some distortion effects (considering the particular imaging modeling) which may be provided by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 at least partially by computationally compensating for the received distortion effects of the distorting feature. By comparison, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be configured to computationally compensate at least some distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 by determining a correction electromagnetic input correlating to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. A variety of the embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 are described in this disclosure with respect to how they compensate for distortions as can be provided by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102.

Consider certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can be configured to computationally compensate for at least some distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 at least partially by computationally compensating (redress/address, such as to subtract out) for the received distortion effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. As such, FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of certain embodiments of distortion compensation as can be performed by a variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator to compensate for a variety of distortions by subsequently computationally subtracting out the effects of the distortion. Certain embodiments of the FIG. 10 flow chart can include, but are not limited to, one or more of operations 1002, 1006, and/or 1008. Certain embodiments of the flow chart compensation includes certain embodiments of operation 1002, in which the characteristics of the distorting feature may be determined either prior to, during, or following associating the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 with the individual (human, animal, or organism). Such preliminary imaging, perhaps even by another imaging modality, may be performed, for example, to ensure the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 is installed or positioned at a desired location, as intended. Certain embodiments of the characteristics as set forth in operation 1002 can include, but are not limited to, obtaining characteristics of at least one distorting feature, in which the characteristics could include but are not lot limited to, orientation-dependent electromagnetic imaging characteristic information as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of the associating the distorting feature with the individual may occur, for example, by surgically applying the implant into the individual 103. Thereupon, in certain embodiments of operation 1004, can include, but are not limited to, distortion susceptible imaging at least partially using the selected imaging techniques (e.g., MRI, CAT scan, PET scan, ultrasound, etc.). In 1006, the distorting effects of the at least one distorting feature can be limited based, at least in part, on the characteristics of the distorting feature.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, in operation 1008, can compensate for the distortion resulting from the distorting feature. Certain embodiments of the compensation may be computationally performed, for example, by utilizing the frequency domain/time domain transform (e.g., Fourier transform, FFT, etc.). The particular order of the operations as described with respect to flow charts in this application may not, depending on context, be limiting but instead may be illustrative in nature. As such, following the computationally compensating, either the one or more distorting feature, the one or more portion(s) of the individual (human, animal, or organism) outside of the distorting feature, or at least one junction between distorting feature and a portion of the individual (human, animal, or organism) should appear clearer such as to be less distorted. Certain embodiments of such compensation by certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 may occur, for example, by subtracting out (while in the frequency domain) the effects of the distorting feature.

Certain embodiments of the subtracting out or limiting the effects of the distortion can thereby include, but is not limited to, computationally computing, or otherwise processing, filtering, or performing some analog or digital operation to limit the distortion at least partially after the image has been imaged. Other embodiments of the subtracting out can include, but is not limited to, deriving, obtaining, or modeling at least some input image information such as a field or signal that may be used in imaging, that when combined with the electromagnetic radiation, acoustics, etc. as associated with the imaging modality (typically prior to or during imaging), can limit the effect of the distortion by the distorting feature during the imaging. By determining how to subtract out the effects of the distortion, the relative imaging position of the distorting feature with respect to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 is to be considered. The transformed image, with the distortion provided by the distorting feature computationally compensated for such as with the distortion subtracted out or otherwise computationally compensated for, can thereupon be returned to the time domain using the inverse frequency domain/time domain transform (e.g., inverse Fourier transform, inverse FFT, etc.), to provide images, data, etc. that no longer include the affects of the distorting feature. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensating of at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can utilize a plurality of distortion compensating techniques run sequentially, in combination, in series, etc.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can thereby be configured to nullify the effects of the distortions at least partially as a result of removing the distortion characterizing imaging information from the images, such as may be able to be performed computationally as described in portions of this disclosure. Transforms, and inverse transforms, have been utilized for such algorithmic subtractive operations as signal separation or subtraction, noise cancellation, etc. As such, as described in this disclosure, the distortion compensator controller 97 can utilize at least a portion of a variety of hardware, software, or firmware techniques and mechanisms, as described in this disclosure, to perform the transform operations.

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 which can limit distortion caused by certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100, as described in this disclosure. The distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 can include, but is not limited to, at least one distortion susceptible imaging device emitter 670, distortion susceptible imaging device detector 672, at least one computational compensator 674, and at least one distortion limited imaging display device 676.

Certain embodiments of the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device emitter 670 and the at least one distortion susceptible imaging device detector 672 can be configured to operate similar to or as such embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, such as MRI, CT, acoustic device, etc., as described in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the computational compensator 674 can be configured to limit distortion in images imaged by the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, resulting at least partially from the at least one distorting feature(s) as described in this disclosure, depending on context. As such, certain embodiments of the computational compensator can be configured, depending on context, to computationally compensate at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at last one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing image information, as described in this disclosure.

At least some of the output image information from the computational compensator 674 can be displayed, projected, printed, disclosed, scanned, transmitted, or otherwise output to the distortion limited imaging display device 676. There can be a considerable variety of embodiments of the distortion limited imager that can include, but is not limited to, displays, projectors, computers, controllers, graphics, printers, scanners, etc., and is intended to utilize any output device that could be utilized by a doctor, medical assistant, or other user of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (or a derivative therefrom) in analyzing a condition of the individual.

Certain embodiments of the distortion limited imaging display device 676, the computational compensator 674, the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) emitter 670, and/or the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) detector 672 can be integrated in the distortion compensator controller 97, as described with respect to FIG. 3. Additionally, certain embodiments of the elements 670, 672, 674, and/or 676 can be automated, controlled, filtered, utilize feedback, or processed in a variety of manners as generally understood by those skilled in signal processing, as well as computer or controller operations.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as described with respect to FIG. 12, can utilize feedback, automation, robotics, control, and/or other mechanisms such that the input compensating information can be modified at least partially based on sensed, derived, or indicated distortion as included in images (or information). As such, by modifying the input compensating information being applied by the distortion susceptible imaging emitter 670, the distortion to the electromagnetic radiation, acoustic, or other input compensating information can be limited. As such, the information received by the distortion susceptible imaging detector 672 will likely contain less effects of distortion than if the input compensating information has not been at least partially removed.

Certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774 can be configured, as described in this disclosure, to determine an orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. For instance, the person inserting or examining the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 can determine its orientation visually. Certain imaging devices (which may or may not be included in the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104) can be used to determine the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 such as by determining how the general shape of the at least one distorting feature(s) corresponds to its known shape such as may be included in the at least one data store or electronic library 776, or generally known by the treating person. Any mechanism or technique that can be used to provide information about an orientation, position, shape, wear, or other aspect of the at least one distorting feature(s) may therefore be used as certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774.

In certain instances where the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 can include a displaceable feature such as a cell, stem cell, target cell, blood cell, etc.; certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774 can be configured, as described in this disclosure, to determine the location of the at least one distorting feature as well as its orientation. In certain instances, MRI, for example, has been shown to be able to image down to the level of single cells. Other types of imaging technologies may be effective at imaging at smaller scales, particularly when used in combination with microscopic imaging devices or other microscopic devices. Certain embodiments of the single cells should have general configurations (e.g., long and narrow or a different shape with a nucleus and cytoplasm, and the length or width dimensions should be within prescribed dimensional ranges). Such general cell configurations, shapes, dimensional ranges of certain embodiments of the distorting feature(s) that are cells, blood cells, etc., can be included in the at least one data store or electronic library 776, as described in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can be configured to model the distortion of the input compensating information that may result at least partially from the distorting feature(s) based on the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s). Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can include, but is not limited to, images, image information, data or information derived from images or photographs, photographs, or other shape that can be used to indicate distortion(s) that may result at least partially from the at least one distorting feature(s) based at least in part on orientation, position, shape, wear, or other aspect of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can be at least partially included in one or more components of the distortion compensator controller 97 as described with respect to FIG. 3 (e.g., likely the memory 807 and/or the processor 803), depending on context.

By computationally compensating for, such as by subtracting, the effects of the distortion of the distorting feature out using the frequency domain/time domain transform as described with respect to FIG. 10, and other locations through this disclosure, such imaging techniques as MRI, PET scans, CAT scans, x-ray, ultrasound, etc can be applied near to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, while obtaining a reliable image of the area adjacent the distorting feature without the distortion. Such imaging proximate the distorting feature may be useful in deriving accurate images of soft tissue, bones, blood flow, junctions between multiple implants and/or at least one implant and at least one tissue portion, soft tissue, bones, blood flow, etc.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator, as described with respect to FIG. 10, can be configured to re-process at least some raw data that can be obtained by such electromagnetic sensors or resonance detectors (e.g., as the MRI scan). Certain embodiments of the resonance detector can thereupon be re-processed to computationally remove the distortion created by the induced magnetic field of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 utilized by certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can also be configured to computationally correct distortion at least partially resulting from modifying input compensating information being applied to the individual (human, animal, or organism). Such embodiments of the distortion compensator can utilize certain embodiments of feedback to reduce the effects of distortion such as by recursively filtering out undesired component(s) of the input compensating information. Certain embodiments of such compensation by the distortion compensator 100 can involve changing applied electromagnetic radiation or acoustic energy (e.g., magnetic (B) field and/or the associated eddy currents for MRI) such as to limit such distortions. For instance, with MRI imaging, these magnetic fields directed at least partially at distorted regions can be at least partially shielded and/or redirected. It is generally known to shield and/or redirect the applied electromagnetic radiation (such as magnetic fields for MRI), are to be applied to certain embodiments of the medical imaging such as MRI.

FIG. 13, for example, illustrates an embodiment of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 that can be configured to computationally correct distortion at least partially resulting from modifying the input compensating information being applied to the individual. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 as described in this disclosure can include, but is not limited to, at least one distortion susceptible imaging emitter 770, at least one distortion susceptible imaging detector 772, at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774, at least one data store or electronic library 776, and at least one distortion susceptible imaging operation modifier 778.

Certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, as described with respect to FIG. 13, can utilize feedback, automation, robotics, control, and/or other mechanisms such that the input compensating information can be modified at least partially based on sensed, derived, or indicated distortion as included in images (or information). As such, by modifying the input compensating information being applied by the distortion susceptible imaging emitter 772, the distortion to the electromagnetic radiation, acoustic, or other input compensating information can be limited. As such, the information received by the distortion susceptible imaging detector 772 will likely contain less effects of distortion than if the input compensating information has not been at least partially removed.

Certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774 can be configured, as described in this disclosure, to determine an orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. For instance, the person inserting or examining the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 can determine its orientation visually. Certain imaging devices (which may or may not be included in the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104) can be used to determine the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 such as by determining how the general shape of the at least one distorting feature(s) corresponds to its known shape such as may be included in the at least one data store or electronic library 776, or generally known by the treating person. Any mechanism or technique that can be used to provide information about an orientation, position, shape, wear, or other aspect of the at least one distorting feature(s) may therefore be used as certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774.

In certain instances where the at least one distorting feature(s) 100 can include a displaceable feature such as a cell, stem cell, target cell, blood cell, etc.; certain embodiments of the at least one detecting feature orientation determiner 774 can be configured, as described in this disclosure, to determine the location of the at least one distorting feature as well as its orientation. In certain instances, MRI, for example, has been shown to be able to image down to the level of single cells. Other types of imaging technologies may be effective at imaging at smaller scales, particularly when used in combination with microscopic imaging devices or other microscopic devices. Certain embodiments of the single cells should have general configurations (e.g., long and narrow or a different shape with a nucleus and cytoplasm, and the length or width dimensions should be within prescribed dimensional ranges). Such general cell configurations, shapes, dimensional ranges of certain embodiments of the distorting feature(s) that are cells, blood cells, etc., can be included in the at least one data store or electronic library 776, as described in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can be configured to model the distortion of the input compensating information that may result at least partially from the distorting feature(s) based on the orientation of the at least one distorting feature(s). Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can include, but is not limited to, images, image information, data or information derived from images or photographs, photographs, or other shape that can be used to indicate distortion(s) that may result at least partially from the at least one distorting feature(s) based at least in part on orientation, position, shape, wear, or other aspect of the at least one distorting feature(s) 100. Certain embodiments of the at least one data store or electronic library 776 can be at least partially included in one or more components of the distortion compensator controller 97 as described with respect to FIG. 3 (e.g., likely the memory 807 and/or the processor 803), depending on context.

Similarly, with certain acoustic-based embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, the applied input acoustic fields, signals, etc. can be modified to limit imaging distortion resulting at least partially from the at least one distorting feature 102. As such, FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of certain embodiments of distortion compensation as can be performed by a variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator to modify applied electromagnetic fields such as to limit for a variety of distortions resulting from distorting feature. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensation technique as described with respect to FIG. 11 can include, but is not limited to, operations 1102 and 1104. Operation 1102 could include, but is not limited to, obtaining a distortion characterizing electromagnetic imaging information of at least one distorting feature. For example, the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 such as an implant, bone, or other item that can be positioned or is situated relative to the individual such as a person, animal, or organism can be obtained. Operation 1104 could include, but is not limited to, determining at least some corrective electromagnetic input that can be that can be applied to the at least one distorting feature. For example, some electromagnetic or audio signal, fields, currents, information, etc. can be applied to the individual that can at lest partially correct the distortion.

Certain characteristics of electromagnetic waves, currents, flows, fields, etc. that may be utilized by certain embodiments of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may be described in The Electrical Engineering Handbook, Second Edition, Richard C. Dorf, CRC Press/IEEE Press, pp. 887-914 (1997) (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Certain types of the electromagnetic waves, fields, currents, etc. can be varied, weakened, intensified, directed, etc. utilizing certain shielding, shaping, and/or electromagnetic controller techniques; such as are generally understood by those skilled in electrical engineering and/or electromagnetics.

Certain embodiments of the compensation flow chart that can be utilized by certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can thereby include certain embodiments of operation(s) 1102, 1104, and/or 1106. In certain embodiments of the operation 1102, the characteristics of the distorting feature may be determined. Such determination of the characteristics can be performed prior to application (e.g., insertion) of the distorting feature relative to the individual 103, or alternately the determination can be made following the insertion (i.e., inter-vivos). In certain embodiments of operation 1104, the compensation may thereby involve modifying the applied electromagnetic radiation applied to the individual 103 at least partially to reduce the distortion. In certain embodiments of operation 1106, which is optional, the imaging effects of the distortion compensation may be monitored and/or reviewed to determine the effectiveness of the compensation. Certain embodiments of the operation(s) 1102, 1104, and/or 1106 can thereby be at least partially configured to provide a feedback mechanism, as is known to one skilled in the art in control circuitry.

Certain embodiments of the monitoring the distortion compensating may be performed using certain embodiments of the frequency domain/time domain transform as well as the inverse frequency domain/time domain transform, as described with respect to FIGS. 10 and/or 11. FIG. 11 thereby shows a flow chart of certain embodiments of distortion compensation as can be performed by a variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator to compensate for a variety of distortions as provided by the electromagnetic radiation. For instance, after the distortion characterizing imaging information that characterizes the distortion of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (such as may be determined by the distortion compensator) has been determined, the effects of the distortion characterizing imaging information can thereupon be nullified by modifying the electromagnetic radiation (e.g., magnetic field in the case of MRI) being applied to the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 as described in portions of this disclosure. Other embodiments of distortion susceptible imaging device(s) can thereby utilize certain types of distortion compensation.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can thereby be configured to reduce and/or limit such electromagnetic buildup as magnetization of certain embodiments of the distorting feature as a result of stress or flexion. The magnetic effects can thereupon be removed by a de-magnetization process preceding the MRI scan using certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of such embodiments of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, such as an implant or bone, can be designed with smoothed edges or other shape characteristics to facilitate or improve the performance of the re-processing algorithm. Such contouring or configuration of certain embodiments of the distorting feature 102 may rely on similar materials, coatings, shapes, contours, absorbance, and/or surface features of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as generally developed for and understood in stealth design for aircraft and other vehicles, which can deflect incident electromagnetic radiation in a variety of directions, and/or absorb certain incident electromagnetic radiation.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can thereby be configured to obtain the signal from the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (e.g., MRI), which can thereupon be convolved with known property of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102, based at least in part on the position and/or orientation of the distorting feature and the resultant characteristic electromagnetic radiation at the location of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s), as to remove the effects of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 on the imaging.

2. Certain Embodiments of the Distortion Compensator Controller

This disclosure describes a number of embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 as described with respect to FIG. 3, which is intended to control operations of the distortion compensator 100 to at least partially compensate for, or limit, distortions to imaging resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 as applied to individuals. As such, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can operate without, and/or with little interaction from, the distortion compensator controller 97. By comparison, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can operate with considerable input from, and/or entirely utilizing input from, the distortion compensator controller 97.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can include the distortion compensator controller 97; while other embodiments of the distortion compensator may not include utilizing certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller. Alternatively, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 may be at least partially digitally based, while other embodiments may be at least partially analog based. For instance, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 including the distortion compensator controller 97, which are largely digital and/or microprocessor-based, can provide for largely automated actuation of signals of the distortion compensator 100 and/or the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (such as the MRI, CAT scan, PET scan, ultrasound, etc. as described in this disclosure). A number of the components of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 (such as the superconductive magnets for MRI, for example) may rely on analog controllers and/or computers which may be capable of generating signals of considerable strength, such as in the Tesla range. Other lower-powered signals from the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104 may be either analog and/or digitally controlled. Control circuitry that are configured to turn particular circuits on or off, for example, may be quite efficient and/or effective if digital based. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can be configured to, upon a normal operation, compensate for at least some distortion as can be provided by the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102. FIG. 3 can represent a block diagram of certain respective embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 that can include the distortion compensator controller 97 to either control the securing of the elements within the distortion compensator, or some other related operations.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator, as controlled by the distortion compensator controller, can be configured to computationally compensate at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator, as controlled by the distortion compensator controller, can be configured to obtain the at least some input compensating information that when combined with the at least one image information can limit distortions to imaging resulting from the at least one distorting feature, wherein the distortion compensator is configured based at least in part on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can thereby include, but are not limited to, a variety of configurations of the distortion compensator controller 97. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can also be at least partially computer based, controller based, mote based, cellular telephone-based, electromagnetic based, electronic based, electromechanical based, and/or electronics based. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller can be segmented into modules, and can utilize a variety of wireless communications and/or networking technologies to allow information, data, etc. to be transferred to the various distinct portions or embodiments of the distortion compensator 100. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can be configured as a unitary device or a stand alone device. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 include an interface to allow interaction between the compensator and the end-user, who can adjust parameters based on visual observation or other expert skills, to emphasize or de-emphasize different parts of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature 102 to be either enhanced or ignored, or to alter the strategy being taken to perform the compensation, or to contribute to the optimization of compensation parameters.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can vary as to their automation, complexity, and/or sophistication; and can be utilized to control, setup, establish, and/or maintain communications between a number of communicating devices. As described within this disclosure, multiple ones of the different embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 can transfer information or data relating to the communication link to or from a remote location and/or some intermediate device as might be associated with communication, monitoring and/or other activities.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97, as well as certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 (in general), can utilize distinct firmware, hardware, and/or software technology. For example, mote-based technology, microprocessor-based technology, microcomputer-based technology, general-purpose computer technology, specific-purpose computer technology, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), and/or a variety of other computer technologies can be utilized for certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97, as well as certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can as described with respect to FIG. 3 can include depending on context a processor 803 such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory 807, a circuit or circuit portion 809, and an input output interface (I/O) 811 that may include a bus (not shown). Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 can include and/or be a portion of a general-purpose computer, a specific-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a personal display assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a wireless communicating device, a hard-wired phone, and/or any other known suitable type of communications device, computer, and/or controller that can be implemented in hardware, software, electromechanical devices, and/or firmware. Certain embodiments of the processor 803, as described with respect to FIG. 3, can perform the processing and arithmetic operations for certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 can control the signal processing, database querying and response, computational, timing, data transfer, and other processes associated with certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of the memory 807 of the distortion compensator controller 97 can include a random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM) that together can store the computer programs, operands, and other parameters that control the operation of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. The memory 807 can be configurable to contain information obtained, retained, or captured by that particular distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of the bus can be configurable to provide for digital information transmissions between the processor 803, circuits 809, memory 807, I/O 811, the image memory or storage device (which may be integrated or removable), other portions within the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104, and/or other portions outside of the distortion susceptible imaging device(s) 104. In this disclosure, the memory 807 can be configurable as RAM, flash memory, semiconductor-based memory, of any other type of memory that can be configurable to store data pertaining to images. Certain embodiments of the bus can also connects I/O 811 to the portions of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of either the distortion compensator 100 that can either receive digital information from, or transmit digital information to other portions of the distortion compensator 100, or other systems and/or networking components associated with.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100, as described with respect to FIG. 3, can include a transmitter portion (not shown) that can be either included as a portion of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 can alternately be provided as a separate unit (e.g., microprocessor-based). In certain embodiments, the transmitter portion can transmit image information between certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100.

Certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 as described with respect to FIG. 3 can include an operation altering portion (not shown) that can be either included as a portion of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100, or alternately can be provided as a separate unit (e.g., microprocessor-based).

Certain embodiments of the memory 807 can provide an example of a memory storage portion. In certain embodiments, the monitored value includes but is not limited to: a percentage of the memory 807, an indication of data that is or can be stored in the memory 807, or for data storage or recording interval. To provide for overflow ability for the memory 807 of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100, a secondary storage device can be operably coupled to the memory 807 to allow a controllable transmitting of memory data from certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 when the monitored value of data or other information within the memory 807 exceeds a prescribed value. The prescribed value can include, e.g., some percentage amount or some actual amount of the value.

In certain embodiments, a secondary communication link can be established between the certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. The secondary communication link can be structured similar to as a communication link, or alternatively can utilize network-based computer connections, Internet connections, etc. to provide information and/or data transfer between certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100.

In certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100, the particular elements of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 (e.g., the processor 803, the memory 807, the circuits 809, and/or the I/O 811) can provide a monitoring function to convert raw data as displayed by an indicator. A monitoring function as provided by certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 can be compared to a prescribed limit, such as whether the number of images contained in the memory 807, the amount of data contained within the memory 807, or some other measure relating to the memory is approaching some value. The limits to the value can, in different embodiments, be controlled by the user or the manufacturer of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. In certain embodiments, the memory 807 can store such information as data, information, displayable information, readable text, motion images, video images, and/or audio images, etc.

In certain embodiments, the I/O 811 provides an interface to control the transmissions of digital information between each of the components in certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. The I/O 811 also provides an interface between the components of certain embodiments of the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100. The circuits 809 can include such other user interface devices as a display and/or a keyboard. In other embodiments, the distortion compensator controller 97 of the distortion compensator 100 can be constructed as a specific-purpose computer such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or other similar devices.

3. Certain Embodiments of the Distortion Compensator with Relevant Flowcharts

Within the disclosure, flow charts of the type described in this disclosure apply to method steps as performed by a computer or controller as could be contained within certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, as described in this disclosure. Additionally, the flow charts as described in this disclosure apply operations or procedures that can be performed entirely and/or largely utilizing mechanical devices, electromechanical devices, or the like, such as certain embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 as described in this disclosure. The flow charts can also apply to apparatus devices, such as an antenna or a node associated therewith that can include, e.g., a general-purpose computer or specialized-purpose computer whose structure along with the software, firmware, electro-mechanical devices, and/or hardware, can perform the process or technique described in the flow chart.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the distortion compensator 100 that can act to compensate for a distortion by the imaging device as described with respect to FIG. 3, and elsewhere in this disclosure. There can be a variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator 100 that can be configured to compensate for such inserts or implants as, but is not limited to, the surgical rod(s) or plate(s), bone replacements, etc. as described in this disclosure. Certain of the implants can be applied to or treat, for example, bony elements that can include, but are not limited to, bones, bone fragments, vertebrae, spines, etc. There can be variety of embodiments of the distortion compensator 100.

FIG. 18 (including FIGS. 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, and/or 18 e) shows certain embodiments of a distortion reduction technique 2000 such as described with respect to, but not limited to, the distortion compensator 100 of FIGS. 1 to 10, and elsewhere in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of a high-level flowchart of the distortion reduction technique 2000 is described with respect to FIG. 18 (including FIGS. 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, and/or 18 e) and can include, but is not limited to, operations 2002, 2004, and/or 2006, and/or optional operations 2060, 2061, 2062, 2064, 2066, 2068, 2070, 2072, 2074, 2076, 2078, 2080, 2082, 2084, 2086, 2088, 2090, 2092, and/or 2094. Certain embodiments of operation 2002 can include, but are not limited to, operations 2020, 2022, 2024, 2026, 2028, 2030, 2032, and/or 2034. Certain embodiments of operation 2004 can include, but are not limited to, operations 2040, 2041, and/or 2042. Certain embodiments of operation 2006 can include, but are not limited to, operations 2050 and/or 2052. The high-level flowchart of FIG. 18 (including FIGS. 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, and/or 18 e) should be considered in combination with the embodiments of the distortion compensator 100, as described with respect to FIG. 17, and elsewhere in this disclosure.

Certain embodiments of operation 2002 can include, but is not limited to, obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least a portion of at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on an at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain image information can be obtained such as by capturing, photographing, imaging, retrieving from a memory of a data storage device, receiving from a remote device, etc. Certain embodiments of characterizing the distortion characterizing imaging information can characterize the at least one distorting feature based, at least in part, on a position or angle of the at least one distorting feature, relative angles of multiple ones of the at least one distorting feature, relative surface contours of the at least one distorting feature, relative shapes of the at least one distorting feature, material(s) of the at least one distorting feature, etc. Certain embodiments of the image information can be obtained utilizing a variety of imaging technologies that can include, but are not limited to, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray Computed Tomography (CT or CAT), X-ray imaging, Photon Emission Tomography (PET) scans, acoustic or ultrasound imaging, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans, optical imaging, infrared imaging, as well as other electromagnetic imaging and/or acoustic imaging, and/or nuclear resonance imaging, etc.

Certain embodiments of operation 2004 can include, but is not limited to, determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the distortion compensator can determine a relative position or any of the at least one distorting feature by visually viewing the at least one distorting feature (which may be at least partially internal or at least partially external to the individual), such as by retrieving data from a data storage area, an electronic library or detected from same or different imaging device(s) that can be used to image or capture the distorted feature. For example, if MRI is used to image the individual associated with the distorted feature, then another imaging modality such as x-ray may be used to image the individual.

Certain embodiments of operation 2006 can include, but is not limited to, computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, at least some of the distortion provided to the imaging by the at least one distorting feature can be at least partially compensated for, such as to be limited, at least in part, by computationally compensating for the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. Certain embodiments of the relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, the angle of the at least one distorting feature, the position of the at least one distorting feature, relative angles between connected ones of the at least one distorting feature, surface contour or features of the at least one distorting feature, relative shape of the at least one distorting feature, material(s) of the at least one distorting feature, etc.

Certain embodiments of the obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least a portion of at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on an at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information of operation 2002 can include operation 2020, which can include, but is not limited to imaging the at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, the obtaining the at least one image information can include, but is not limited to, imaging the at least one image information. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2022, which can include, but is not limited to: retrieving from a memory storage device the at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, the obtaining the at least one image information can include, but is not limited to, retrieving from memory (such as memory storage, an electronic library, etc.) the at least one image information. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2024, that can include, but is not limited to: receiving from another device the at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, the obtaining the at least one image information can include, but is not limited to, receiving from another device the at least one image information. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2026, that can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least one electromagnetic image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on an electromagnetic distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one electromagnetic image information. For example, the obtained image information can include, but is not limited to, electromagnetic image information which in turn can include, but is not limited to, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray Computed Tomography (CT or CAT), X-ray imaging, Photon Emission Tomography (PET) scans, acoustic or ultrasound imaging, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans, optical imaging, infrared imaging, the particle bombardment imaging techniques as described in this disclosure, as well as other electromagnetic imaging and/or nuclear resonance imaging, etc. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2028, that can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least one acoustic image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on an acoustic distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one acoustic image information. For example, certain embodiments of the image information can include, but is not limited to, acoustic image information such as ultrasound image information which may exist from, e.g., sonograms or ultra sonograms. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2030, that can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least one magnetic-resonance based image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a magnetic-resonance based distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one magnetic-resonance based image information. For example, certain embodiments of the obtained image information can include, but is not limited to; magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) based image information. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2032, that can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least one nuclear resonant image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a nuclear resonant distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one nuclear resonant image information. For example, certain embodiments of the obtained image information can include, but is not limited to, nuclear resonant based image information. Certain embodiments of the operation 2002 can include operation 2034, that can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least one tomography-based image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a tomography-based distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one tomography-based image information. For example, certain embodiments of the obtained image information can include, but is not limited to, tomography based image information.

Certain embodiments of the determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information of operation 2004 can include operation 2040, that can include, but is not limited to: determining an at least one relative position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, the at least one relative position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. In certain instances, for example, relative positions of connected portions of the at least one distorting feature can be considered. Certain embodiments of the determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information of operation 2004 can include operation 2041, that can include, but is not limited to: determining an at least one relative angle of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, the at least one relative angle of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. In certain instances, for example, relative angle of connected portions of the at least one distorting feature can be considered. Certain embodiments of the determining the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information of operation 2004 can include operation 2042, that can include, but is not limited to: determining an at least one surface characteristic of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, the at least one surface characteristic of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. In certain instances, the at least one surface characteristic of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, at least one material (both surface and internal) of the at least one distorting feature.

Certain embodiments of the computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information of operation 2006 can include operation 2050, that can include, but is not limited to: computationally compensating at least partially using a time domain/frequency domain transform, or inverse thereof, the at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, compensating utilizing time domain/frequency domain transforms (including forward and inverse transforms, as well as modification, derivatives, and/or combinations of such transforms). Certain embodiments of the operation 2006 can include operation 2052, that can include, but is not limited to: computationally compensating at least partially using a Fourier transform, or inverse thereof, the at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the computationally compensating at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include, but is not limited to, compensating utilizing Fourier transforms (including forward and inverse transforms, traditional Fourier Transforms, Fast Fourier Transforms, as well as modification, derivatives, and/or combinations of such transforms).

Certain embodiments of operation 2060 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on an orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, utilizing the orientation of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature to predict the distortion characterizing imaging information. Certain embodiments of such prediction the distortion characterizing information can be used in association with the distortion characterizing imaging information utilizing, for example, Maxwell solvers, Monte-Carlo techniques, particle beam analysis techniques, modeling techniques, analysis techniques, filtering techniques, stochastic techniques, etc. Certain embodiments of such predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information can be used to computationally compensate for the distortion, as well as to model to obtain at least some input compensating information as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of operation 2061 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, utilizing the position of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature to predict the distortion characterizing imaging information. Certain embodiments of such prediction the distortion characterizing information can be used in association with the distortion characterizing imaging information utilizing, for example, Maxwell solvers, Monte-Carlo techniques, particle beam analysis techniques, modeling techniques, analysis techniques, filtering techniques, stochastic techniques, etc. Certain embodiments of such predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information can be used to computationally compensate for the distortion, as well as to model to obtain at least some input compensating information as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of operation 2062 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on an angle of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on an angle of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. The angle of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can include a relative angle of multiple (e.g., connected) ones of the at least one distorting feature. Certain embodiments of such prediction the distortion characterizing information can be used in association with the distortion characterizing imaging information utilizing, for example, Maxwell solvers, Monte-Carlo techniques, particle beam analysis techniques, modeling techniques, analysis techniques, filtering techniques, stochastic techniques, etc. Certain embodiments of such predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information can be used to computationally compensate for the distortion, as well as to model to obtain at least some input compensating information as described in this disclosure. Certain embodiments of operation 2064 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a surface characteristic of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on such surface characteristics of the at least one distorting feature as surface finishes, materials, configurations, etc. Certain embodiments of operation 2066 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a degrading environment which the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature has been exposed. For example, predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a degrading environment which the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature has been exposed to imaging, and therefore may provide distortions, etc. For example, certain portions of the at least one distorting feature may hide, obstruct, or otherwise modify (or may be hidden by, be obstructed by, or be modified by) other distorting features or other features. Certain embodiments of operation 2068 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a duration which the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature has been exposed to a degrading environment. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature can be degraded, wear, have it's shape modified or changed, etc. at least in part by the environment which it is exposed to. In certain instances, such degradation, wear, and can thereupon have its shape modified or changed, etc.; such that it can have its distortions predicted, limited, and/or modeled in a somewhat reliable manner. In certain instances, such degradation, wear, have it's shape modified or changed, etc. can be stored electronically and/or retrieved from an electronic library, etc. Certain portions of the at least one distorting feature may have wear parts, for example, which may wear at faster or greater rates than other parts, for example. Certain embodiments of operation 2070 can include, but is not limited to: predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on at least one other element which the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature at least partially contacts. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature can contact other features or itself, and the distortion characterizing imaging information can be altered or modified based at least in part on this contact. Certain embodiments of operation 2072 can include, but is not limited to: establishing a library of the distortion characterizing imaging information associated with the at least some of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can be stored in an electronic library, such as a data storage which can store, retrieve, allow accessing of, and/or allow other signal processing techniques to be performed on the distortion characterizing imaging information. Certain embodiments of operation 2074 can include, but is not limited to: modifying the distortion characterizing imaging information associated with the at least some of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, certain embodiments of the distortion characterizing imaging information can be modified, such as by filtering, processing, modulating, etc. Certain embodiments of operation 2076 can include, but is not limited to: comparing the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature having the distortion characterizing imaging information with the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature computationally compensating for the distortion characterizing imaging information. For example, certain embodiments of the at least one distorting feature having the distortion characterizing imaging information can be compared with the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature in such a manner as to computationally compensate for the distortion characterizing imaging information. Certain embodiments of operation 2078 can include, but is not limited to: shifting an electromagnetic field in a dynamic fashion based at least in part on the computationally compensating the at least some of the distortion of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information. For example, an electromagnetic field associated with the at least one distorting feature can be shifted dynamically based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information. Such shifting of the electromagnetic field may be useful in modeling distortion resulting from the at least one distorting feature, as well as modeling at least a portion of an object (such as the individual) without the distortion. Certain embodiments of operation 2080 can include, but is not limited to: filtering the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information. For example, a variety of filtering techniques as generally understood by those skilled in electrical engineering, signal processing, etc. (e.g., adaptive filter, Kalman filter, time domain/frequency domain filtering, etc.) can be applied to determine or model the distortion that can be provided by the at least one distorting feature, such as may be used to at least partially filter information other than that provided by the at least one distorting feature. Certain embodiments of operation 2082 can include, but is not limited to: filtering out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information. For example, a variety of filtering techniques as generally understood by those skilled in electrical engineering, signal processing, etc. (e.g., adaptive, Kalman, time domain/frequency domain, etc.) can be applied to filter out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image. Such filtering out could be used to reduce the level of distortions during the imaging of an object such as the individual. Certain embodiments of operation 2084 can include, but is not limited to: filtering out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information to improve a display of the at least the portion of the least one distorting feature. For example, a variety of filtering techniques as generally understood by those skilled in electrical engineering, signal processing, etc. (e.g., adaptive, Kalman, time domain/frequency domain, etc.) can be applied to filter out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image. Such filtering, and the resultant decrease of distortions, can be used to improve the display of the at least the portion of the distorting feature. Certain embodiments of operation 2086 can include, but is not limited to: filtering out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information to improve a display of an at least a portion of an individual. For example, a variety of filtering techniques as generally understood by those skilled in electrical engineering, signal processing, etc. (e.g., adaptive, Kalman, time domain/frequency domain, etc.) can be applied to filter out the distortion at least partially resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image. Such filtering, and the resultant decrease of distortions, can be used to improve the display of the at least the portion of the individual without at least some of the distortion resulting at least partially from the distorting feature. Certain embodiments of operation 2088 can include, but is not limited to: observing an interface between one or more surfaces of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature and at least a portion of an individual. For example, certain embodiments of the limiting distortion can improve observing interfaces (such as but not limited to junctions, overlaps, occlusions, etc.) between the one or more surfaces of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature and the at least a portion of the individual. Certain embodiments of operation 2090 can include, but is not limited to: observing an interface between two or more surfaces of at least one of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. For example, certain embodiments of the limiting distortion can improve observing interfaces (such as but not limited to junctions, overlaps, occlusions, etc.) between the two or more surfaces of the at least one of the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature. Certain embodiments of operation 2092 can include, but is not limited to: altering an electromagnetic or acoustic effect as applied in proximity to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature at least partially in response to the distortion of a distortion-susceptible imaging. For example, the electromagnetic or acoustic effect as applied in proximity to the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be altered to provide one or more of the modeling, filtering, displaying, distortion limiting, or other operations as described within this disclosure. Certain embodiments of operation 2094 can include, but is not limited to: obtaining at least some input compensating information that when combined with the at least one image information can limit distortions resulting from the at least one distorting feature based at least in part on the at least one relative orientation of the at least one distorting feature relative to the at least one image information. For example, certain embodiments of the at least some input compensating information can be obtained such as by retrieving, recalling, imaging, obtaining from storage such as the electronic library, etc. that can limit distortions to the imaging resulting at least partially from the at least one distorting feature. In certain instances, modeling, filtering, signal processing, and other such computer-based, electronic-based, and/or electromechanical-based systems, as described in this disclosure, can be used to limit the distortion. The order of the operations, methods, mechanisms, etc. as described with respect to FIG. 18 (including FIGS. 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, and/or 18 e) is intended to be illustrative in nature, and not limited in scope.

The exemplary system, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments disclosed herein including FIG. 17 along with other components, devices, know-how, skill and techniques that are known in the art have the capability of implementing and practicing the methods and processes shown in FIG. 18. However it is to be further understood by those skilled in the art that other systems, apparatus and technology may be used to implement and practice such methods and processes. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the various aspects of the embodiments for methods, processes, products, and systems as described herein can be implemented individually and/or collectively by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, electromechanical system, and/or firmware configurable to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer.

4. Conclusion

This disclosure provides a number of embodiments of the distortion compensator. The embodiments of the distortion compensator as described with respect to this disclosure are intended to be illustrative in nature, and are not limiting its scope.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art in computer, controller, communications, networking, and other similar technologies has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware, firmware, and/or software implementations of aspects of systems, such as may be utilized in the distortion compensator. The use of hardware, firmware, and/or software can therefore generally represent (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle can vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer and/or designer of the distortion compensator may opt for mainly a hardware and/or firmware vehicle. In alternate embodiments, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer and/or designer may opt for mainly a software implementation. In yet other embodiments, the implementer and/or designer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible techniques by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle can be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In Certain embodiments, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, and computer memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g., packet links).

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.

It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that, in general, the terms used in the disclosure, including the drawings and the appended claims (and especially as used in the bodies of the appended claims), are generally intended as “open” terms. For example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”; the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; and the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to”; etc. In this disclosure and the appended claims, the terms “a”, “the”, and “at least one” positioned prior to one or more goods, items, and/or services are intended to apply inclusively to either one or a plurality of those goods, items, and/or services.

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that could have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that could have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the herein-described specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least one distorting feature includes first and second relatively-displaceable portions, and wherein the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a distortion characterizing imaging information whose characterizing can vary, at least in part, based on an at least one relative position or orientation of the first relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the second relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature; determining the at least one relative position or orientation of the first relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the second relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature; computationally compensating at least some distortion resulting from the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the distortion characterizing imaging information as based on the at least one relative position or orientation of the first relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature relative to the second relatively-displaceable portion of the at least one distorting feature; and shifting an electromagnetic field in a dynamic fashion based at least in part on the computationally compensating.
 2. A method, comprising: obtaining at least one image information that can be distorted at least partially resulting from an at least a portion of at least one distorting feature, wherein the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature can be characterized based at least in part on a distortion characterizing imaging information; predicting the distortion characterizing imaging information based at least in part on a degradation of the at least one distorting feature in a degrading environment to which the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature has been exposed; and computationally compensating at least some distortion resulting from the at least the portion of the at least one distorting feature from the at least one image information based at least in part on the predicted distortion characterizing imaging information.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the degradation is a function of a duration of an exposure to the degrading environment. 